Ameloblastoma in Chongqing children and adolescents: a review of 16 cases.

BACKGROUND

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor of odontogenic epithelial origin, characterized by local aggression and a high recurrence rate in adults. Although rare in children, it accounts for 10 to 15 % of all ameloblastoma cases. However, a consensus on the clinicopathological features and treatment protocols for this condition remains lacking.

PURPOSE: This study aims to summarize the clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastoma in pediatric patients within the oral and maxillofacial regions.

METHODS

Clinical, radiological, and histological data from sixteen pediatric patients who underwent surgical curettage followed by pathological diagnosis of ameloblastoma were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 11 males and 5 females, yielding a male-to-female ratio of 2.1:1. Patient age at diagnosis ranged from 2 to 13 years (mean age: 7.6 years). Lesions were located in the maxilla in two cases and the mandible in fourteen. Within the mandible, lesions were predominantly found in the posterior teeth region (7 cases, 50.0 %), followed by the mandibular angle (3 cases, 21.43 %), the angle and ramus (1 case, 7.14 %), the ramus (1 case, 7.14 %), the midline of the mandible (1 case, 7.14 %), and the anterior mandible (1 case, 7.14 %). Painless swelling was the most common symptom, observed in 9 of 16 patients (56.25 %). All patients were treated surgically. Radiological findings revealed unilocular lesions in 14 cases, while 2 cases exhibited multilocular lesions. Histologically, 14 cases presented with the solid type, and 2 cases with the unicystic type. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 1 to 81 months, with one recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence rate of ameloblastoma in children is relatively low. Unicystic ameloblastoma is more prevalent in this population. Simple surgical curettage typically results in a favorable prognosis with minimal recurrence. Early and accurate recognition of the disease's clinical, radiological, and histological features is critical in reducing misdiagnosis.