Rare variant of ameloblastoma: A case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is second most common odontogenic tumor of jaws that presents with typical clinical, radiological, and histopathological appearances. Provisional diagnosis of this tumor is based on clinical and radiological features; however, final diagnosis is made by histopathological examination which classifies it in to various types, i.e. follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous, granular cell, desmoplastic, and basal cell type. Follicular and plexiform patterns are most common. Hybrid ameloblastoma (HA) is rare entity in which conventional types (follicular and plexiform) of ameloblastoma co-exist with desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA). Its radiological appearance differs from conventional ameloblastomas and sometimes resembles fibro-osseous lesions (FOL). There are only 35 cases of HA reported in literature. We present a novel case of hybrid desmoplastic/follicular ameloblastoma of anterior mandible with emphasis on its radiologic features. Differential diagnosis of the lesion from conventional ameloblastomas and FOL are discussed.