Ameloblastoma — a diagnostic problem

Abstract

A 50-year-old female was referred by her dental practitioner. She had a periapical radiolucency associated with the lower right second premolar tooth. The tooth was root treated and subsequently apicected. Tissue curetted at the time of surgery was shown to be a solid ameloblastoma which was managed initially by marginal excision. Histopathological examination of the resection specimen demonstrated tumour at the inferior margin. A segmental resection of the mandible with an immediate reconstruction using a free tissue transfer of the iliac crest was therefore performed. The case shows the need for vigilance in dealing with periapical pathology and underlines the importance of sending all tissue specimens for histopathological analysis.