Early unicystic ameloblastoma: report of case

The occurrence of an atypical cystic lesion of the mandible in a 13-year-old boy is described. At first, a diagnosis could not be made. The biopsy specimen showed features resembling an ordinary follicular cyst, together with areas in which distinct alterations in the epithelium were noticed. These alterations seemed to be in accordance with findings of Vickers and Gorlin in cases of early or unicystic ameloblastoma. The lesion was treated by enucleation. After almost three years, no recurrence has been noticed. Long-term follow-up care is necessary. The case illustrates the obvious need for meticulous histologic examination of every cystic lesion of the jaw.