Conservative management of a case of plexiform ameloblastoma

Ameloblastomas are locally aggressive, benign odontogenic neoplasms having a wide variety of histologic patterns. It is essential to distinguish between the three clinical types of ameloblastomas - the intra-osseous solid lesion, the unicystic type and the extra-osseous lesion, as they differ in their biological behaviour and rate of recurrence and therefore require different forms of treatment. The case presented here is of a 9-year-old boy who reported to the department with pain and swelling along the right side of the mandible of 3 months'duration. Previous histopathological examination of the lesion, performed at a local hospital, produced a picture consistent with unicystic ameloblastoma. The lesion was managed by enucleation and the patient has been followed up for the past 5 years. Radiographic and clinical examinations reveal signs of healing without recurrence.

Conservative management of unicystic ameloblastomas may be justified in children provided that the patient can be followed up at regular intervals.