An early 19th century case of ameloblastoma of the jaw

A detailed case history and macroscopical description is given of a destructive tumour of the lower jaw, treated by the Utecht prosector Petrus Koning in the years 1811-1813. The macerated skull demonstrating the enormous cystic tumour is still preserved in the Pathological Institute of the State University, Utrecht, and shows unmistakable ameloblastoma. This case is one of the first-if not thĕ first-proven cases of ameloblastoma recorded in history. Some remarks on the conservative treatment which was used, the incidence of ameloblastoma in history and its nomenclature are included in this article.