Residual sinonasal ameloblastoma

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour of the mandible. This disease can occur in the maxilla, but it is very rare. This tumour originates from the epithelium involved in the process of tooth formation, but the trigger for neoplastic transformation in the epithelium still is not known with certainty. Ameloblastoma is defined as a locally aggressive benign tumour with a high probability of recurrence. These tumours have several variations in histopathological appearance, but the types most often seen are the follicular and plexiform types. In most cases, ameloblastoma is locally invasive, usually asymptomatic and slow growing. It has been reported that a 45-year-old female patient with residual sinonasal ameloblastoma had a lateral rhinotomy performed using the Weber-Ferguson approach with good surgical results. Sinonasal ameloblastoma is a rare case with a high recurrence rate after surgery. Ameloblastoma can be diagnosed based on anamnesis, physical examination, and supporting examinations consisting of a CT scan and histopathology. Surgery is the standard treatment for ameloblastoma. A wide excision should be performed with 2 cm of normal bone removed from around the tumour margin to prevent the re-occurrence.