Ameloblastic Carcinoma With Orbital Invasion

Abstract

Ameloblastic carcinomas are malignant tumors arising from the odontogenic epithelium and defined as having features of ameloblastic differentiation in addition to cytological features of malignancy. Orbital involvement is rare and generally involves invasion of the orbital floor, apex, or soft tissue. This report describes an advanced presentation of ameloblastic carcinoma with orbital invasion and provides a review of the literature. A 58-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a mid-facial mass, causing intracranial invasion and distortion of most skull foramina, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and both orbits. Notably, there was an en-plaque pattern of circumferential tracking of the tumor along both orbital walls without invasion beyond the extraconal space, causing compression of the orbital apex and proptosis. Histology demonstrated nests of ameloblastic carcinoma and the advanced tumor was deemed nonresectable, with treatment being palliative.