Desmoplastic ameloblastoma of maxilla - a case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is the most common neoplasm affecting the jaws, arising from the odontogenic epithelium. Despite its locally aggressive nature, it is considered to be benign. The chief histopathological variants of ameloblastoma are the follicular and plexiform types, followed by the acanthomatous and granular cell types. Uncommon variants include desmoplastic, basal cell, clear cell ameloblastoma, keratoameloblastoma and papilliferous keratoameloblastoma. When the desmoplastic type co-exists with other types, it is called as “hybrid” ameloblastoma. There are significant anatomic, histopathological and radiological differences between desmoplastic ameloblasto ma and the classical type. The purpose of this article is to report a case and to review the relevant literature, emphasizing peculiar aspects of this unusual lesion.