Brain ameloblastoma: metastasis or local extension case report and physipathological reflexion

Ameloblastoma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor with a metastasis rate estimated at 2% of cases, mainly involving the lung (80%) and lymph nodes (20%).

We hereby present the case of a 26 year old patient with a history of locally recurrent mandibular ameloblastoma who developed a temporal intracranial ameloblastoma tumor requiring a collaborative neurosurgical and maxillo-facial radical surgical approach.

Although ameloblastomas are histologically benign, the temporal topography questions the dissemination pathophysiology of the tumor (metastasis or local extension through temporal muscle fibers), mainly relevant in cases of multiple recurrences.