Three-dimensional volumetric analysis of unicystic ameloblastoma before and after marsupialization using OsiriX software

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of marsupialization therapy for unicystic ameloblastoma by using three-dimensional (3-D) volumetric analysis with OsiriX software. This retrospective study assessed patients with unicystic ameloblastoma treated using marsupialization. Four patients (age, 29.00 ± 21.65 years) were included in this study, all of whom had mandibular ameloblastoma. The period between computed tomography before and after marsupialization was 5.75 ± 1.71 (4-8) months. In 3-D volumetric analysis using OsiriX software, the mean volume of the lesions before marsupialization was 22.91 ± 28.74 (6.23-65.86) cm 3 , and that after marsupialization was 11.28 ± 15.60 (2.19-34.62) cm 3 . The mean reduction in volume was 11.63 ± 13.16 (4.03-31.24) cm 3 , and the volumetric reduction ratio was 56.42 ± 7.60 (47.43- 64.76)%. Additional conservative treatments were performed after marsupialization; however, radical resection with surgical margins was avoided because of the reduction in the volume of the ameloblastoma, owing to marsupialization, in all cases. In conclusion, marsupialization contributed to reducing the volume of unicystic ameloblastoma and avoiding radical resection, which reduces patients’ quality of life. The results suggested that marsupialization should be favored over other methods in the treatment of unicystic ameloblastoma.