Ameloblastic fibroma diagnosis, treatment and propensity for misidentification

We present a case of a young male with a radiolucency of the posterior mandible that was diagnosed as an ameloblastic fibroma, a mixed lesion derived from odontogenic epithelium and ectomesenchyme. This case report highlights a potential pitfall of this entity that may lead to inaccurate identification and treatment. Initial frozen section analysis yielded a diagnosis of odontogenic myxoma due to histologic similarities. Our report and discussion help to reacquaint the general practitioner with this entity and emphasize the need for routine screening radiographs and close clinical correlation whenever a microscopic diagnosis is rendered.