Granular ameloblastoma: report of two cases with atypical cytological aspects

Ameloblastoma is an aggressive odontogenic tumor, which arises from odontogenic epithelium. Ameloblastomas can present in several clinical and histomorphological patterns. The granular cell variant accounts for only 3.5% to 5% of ameloblastomas. We have presented two cases of granular cell ameloblastoma (GCA) occurring in a 44-year-old and 50-year-old man, respectively. Case No. 1 on incisional biopsy was diagnosed as unicystic ameloblastoma (UA), which later after excisional biopsy was finally diagnosed as GCA owing to the features observed in excisional biopsied tissue. Case No. 2 on incisional biopsy showed darker and lighter stained cells arranged in small follicular pattern, and anastomosing cords. Meticulous immunohistochemistry, histochemical examination and careful literature search helped us to diagnose it as GCA. We have made an attempt to elucidate the diagnosis of GCA especially in cases of GCA with unusual granular component.