The radiographic appearance of ameloblastoma in Malaysians

The radiographs of fifteen Malaysian patients with presenting ameloblastoma aged between 20-55 years (average 35 years) were studied for any peculiar local features. The most common features were cortical plate expansion (80%), corticated scalloped margin (67%), multiloculation (87%), and resorption of tooth roots (47%). The latter two features are constantly found in advanced tumour stage. As pain was not a frequent complaint, many Malaysian patients seek treatment only at a very late stage after the tumours have reached large dimensions. Although ameloblastomas may be diagnosed often through radiographs, it should not be relied upon solely.