Adenoid ameloblastoma with dentinoid and cellular atypia: a case report and literature review

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is always benign. Given the very rare recurrence rate and the zero potential of malignant transformation, authors have considered it a hamartoma. Accordingly, 'AOT' is no more than a misnomer. This report, however, describes the first recognition of cellular atypia and plemorphism in a peripheral orophayrngeal AOT which embraces an ameloblastic component. The overall picture was diagnosed, after careful histological and immunohitochemical assessment, as a peripheral adenoid ameloblastoma. This find may promote a new pathogenetic scenario to the nosology of this debatable lesion.