Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour in a 12-year-old boy

We present a rare finding of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) in a 12-year-old boy who was referred to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Eastman Dental Hospital for the extraction of a carious maxillary permanent molar. First presentation revealed that the maxillary right permanent lateral incisor and canine were unerupted. Radiological examination revealed a circumscribed radiolucent area associated with the distal aspect of the maxillary right permanent lateral incisor. The patient was admitted to our Day Care Unit where the carious maxillary molar was extracted and the radiolucent area associated with the maxillary right permanent incisor was explored. Pathological examination confirmed the lesion as adenomatoid odontogenic tumour. We present a brief review of the literature and consider how differential diagnosis of this tumour from more common odontogenic lesions can be established.