Radical management of aggressive lesions: a case report of recurrent ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is an aggressive, benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. Approximately 1-3% of all tumors and cysts of the maxillary bones are ameloblastomas. They grow at a slow but persistent rate and are mainly located in the ramus of the mandible. They are occasionally associated with the presence of an impacted third molar. Ameloblastomas are characterized by aggressive infiltration of the surrounding tissue. There may be a high local recurrence rate when the tumor is not properly removed, due to remaining tumor cells. This article reports a case of a multicystic ameloblastoma that had been previously treated with conservative therapy which failed and resulted in recurrence eight years later. Clinical examination showed extensive bone resorption in the right hemi-mandible region. Incisional biopsy and histopathological examination was carried out to confirm the diagnosis. The proposed treatment was total en bloc resection involving the right hemi-mandible, and the region of central and lateral left incisors with a two-centimeter safety margin. Radical surgical protocol with wide margin of safety must be adopted in order to prevent the recurrence of these aggressive tumors.