Desmoplastic ameloblastoma of the jaw: An infrequent paediatric case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a neoplastic process of the jaw that originates from the odontogenic epithelium. Its early diagnosis is of particular interest because of the need for resection with a wide margin of safety, which reduces the likelihood of local recurrence. The neoplasia is difficult to differentiate from other common lesions in pediatric patients, such as osteomyelitis, dental cysts, and fibrous lesions. We report a 14-year-old female patient of Asian descent presented with a palpable painful mass in the left jaw region. Doppler ultrasonography revealed a cystic image with poorly defined boundaries. Symptomatic treatment is indicated in cases of suspected osteomyelitis. The persistence of the symptoms led to performed biopsy, diagnosing ameloblastoma. Subsequently, the injury was completely resected, and the margins were preserved. Finally, mandibular reconstruction was performed. Demoplastic ameloblastoma is uncommon in paediatric age and if not suspected, the diagnosis can be delayed with the risk of insufficient margins.