• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 1996

Ameloblastomas are benign epithelial neoplasm of the jaw comprising approximately 1-3.3% of all odontogenic cysts and tumors. Although most are microscopically benign, they are generally considered to be locally aggressive and destructive, exhibiting a high rate of recurrence. Treatments of them contain the conservative treatments on unilocular types and radical treatments on multilocular types. Classifications based on the histologic features of ameloblastoma generally included the follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous, basal cell, uncystic types. However, recently a new and unusual variant has been added by Eversole et. al in 1984, the histologic features of which are characterized by marked stromal desmoplastic proliferation. This is a case report of desmoplastic ameloblastoma in the anterior maxilla of 63 year-old female treated by block excision. This provides a brief review of the literature because of the rarity and unusual radiographic-histologic features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.426-432
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• 2019

Background The mandible is an important structure that is located in the lower third of the face. Large mandibular defects after tumor resection cause loss of its function. This study assessed the outcomes and tumor recurrence after immediate mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap following radical resection of ameloblastoma. Methods This is a retrospective non-randomized study of outcomes and tumor recurrence of all patients diagnosed with mandibular ameloblastoma from August 1997 until August 2017 (20 years) requiring free fibula osteocutaneous flap reconstruction at a single institution. The patients were identified through an electronic operative database; subsequently, their medical records and photo documentation were retrieved. Results Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. Eighteen patients were male, while nine were female. The majority of the patients (48.1%) were in their third decade of life when they were diagnosed with ameloblastoma. All of them underwent radical resection of the tumor with a surgical margin of 2 cm (hemimandibulectomy in cases with a large tumor) and immediate mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap. Two patients required revision of a vascular anastomosis due to venous thrombosis postoperatively, while one patient developed a flap recipient site infection. The flap success rate was 100%. There was no tumor recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 5.6 years. Conclusions Mandibular ameloblastoma should be treated with segmental mandibulectomy (with a surgical margin of 2 cm) to reduce the risk of recurrence. Subsequent mandibular and adjacent soft tissue defects should be reconstructed immediately with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.453-459
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• 2010

Introduction: Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant lesion, and may arise from either carcinoma ex-ameloblastoma or de novo carcinoma. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of the tumor-associated genes leading to their inactivation is a common event in many cancer types. The p16/CDKN2/INK4A gene and p16 5 protein are involved directly in regulating the cell cycles. Cadherins are cell adhesion molecules that modulate the epithelial phenotype and regulate tumor invasion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of p16 and E-cadherin methylation and loss of p16 and E-cadherin expression in the malignant transformation of an ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods: Eight cases of ameloblastoma, including 4 benign ameloblastomas without recurrence, 2 benign ameloblastomas with recurrence and 2 carcinoma ex-ameloblastomas, were examined. The promoter hypermethylation profile of the p16 and E-cadherin genes was studied using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and immunohistochemical staining for p16 and E-cadherin expression. Results: 1) Aberrant CpG island methylation of the p16 gene was detected in 3 of the 4 benign ameloblastomas without recurrence and 1 of the 2 benign ameloblastomas with recurrence. 2) Aberrant CpG island methylation of the E-cadherin gene was found in 1 of the 4 benign ameloblastomas without recurrence. 3) A loss of p16 expression was noted in 1 of 4 benign ameloblastomas without recurrence and 1 of 2 carcinoma ex-ameloblastomas. 4) A loss of E-cadherin expression was noted in 2 of the 4 benign ameloblastomas without recurrence, 1 of the 2 benign ameloblastomas with recurrence and 2 of the 2 carcinoma ex-ameloblastomas. 5) A loss of p16 expression was observed in 1 of the 4 cases showing aberrant methylation of the p16 gene. 6) A loss of E-cadherin expression was observed in 3 benign ameloblastoma case showing aberrant methylation of the E-cadherin gene. Conclusion: These results suggest that loss of E-cadherin expression related to the other genetic pathway (not methylation) might be an adjuvant indicator predicting the malignant transformation of an ameloblastoma. However, the number of samples in this study was too small and the relationship between the treatment methods and clinical course were not defined. Therefore, further study will be needed.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2018

Ameloblastoma is a benign neoplasm originating from odontogenic epithelium. It is the most common neoplasm in the jaws and is characterized by aggressive behavior and local invasion. Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) has a unilocular feature in radiologic examination and a cystic feature histologically. Decompression and marsupialization are conservative method of treatment of large UA. The purpose of decompression and marsupialization are size reduction of the mass, which makes it easy to handle at total enucleation with protection of nerve damage and facial deformity. Here we report successful conservative treatment of extensive UA using decompression and marsupialization with a review of literatures.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2005

Purpose: To classify and describe the characteristic features of MRI of some ameloblastoma variants. Materials and Methods: The MR images, CT images, and panoramic radiographs in 5 cases were retrospectively examined as follows. First, the contents of ameloblastomas were devided into two portions of either solid or cystic components on the basis of MR signal intensities. The signal intensity within the solid or cystic portions was classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Next, the characteristic internal feature of the lesion on T1W1 or T2WI was described. The signal intensities were classified into low, intermediate, slightly high, high, and strong high signal intensity. Results: Unicystic lesion showed homogeneous high signal intensity (SI) on T2W2 and the rim enhancement of the surrounding area including the mural nodule and the thick wall except the central portion on Gd- T1W1. Solid type revealed heterogeneous and high SI area with strong high SI area on T2W2. On Gd- T1W1, the area corresponding to the low signal spot on T1W1 and the strong high signal spot on T2W1 showed low SI. Hybrid type showed slightly enhanced capsular structures and low SI for the round bony septa and the areas connecting the mixed and cystic lesions on T2Wl and Gd-T1W1. Conclusion: MRI could easily assess the relationship between the mixed and cystic findings in ameloblastoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.619-623
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• 2016

Ameloblastoma is the most common epithelial odontogenic tumor. It may show locally invasive behavior resulting in recurrence and malignancy. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis of this tumor is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastomas in an Iranian population. We present a 40-year retrospective study of patients diagnosed from 1971 to 2010 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad, Iran. Information gathered from patient records included age, gender, tumor location and histologic type. The frequency of odontogenic tumors among all lesions was 2.08% and ameloblastoma with 88 samples demonstrated the greatest prevalence (41.5%). Regarding gender, 60% of samples occurred in males. The mean age of studied patients was $33.02{\pm} 15.74years$ with a peak of occurrence in the third decade of life. The most frequent location of tumor was the mandibles (93.2%). Eighty five (96.6%) tumors were recorded as benign and 3 (3.4%) as malignant. Of benign tumors, 62 (72.9%), 20 (23.5%) and 3 (3.6%) cases were of conventional, unicyctic and peripheral types, respectively. In contrast to most previous studies, the most common histologic subtype in the present study was plexiform. Knowledge of the incidence of ameloblastoma and its clinicopathologic features including most common location, gender and age distribution in different ethnogeographic backgrounds is necessary for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.298-300
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• 2003

Ameloblastomas are generally considered to be benign tumors of odontogenic epithelial origin with high local recurrence. Rarely ameloblastomas exhibit malignant behavior with development of metastases. In this report, we present a 19-year-old woman with ameloblastoma in the right ascending ramus and multiple recurrences. Eleven years after first therapy, ameloblastoma metastasized to ipsilateral submandibular lymph node. We also review literature about cause, treatment and work-up of malignant ameloblastoma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2002

Purpose: The objective of this study is to find the differentiating characteristics of ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts of the jaw by analyzing computed tomography (CT) images of the lesions, clarify radiological characteristics associated with jaw lesions, and to make a diagnsis based on these findings. Materials and Methods : Test subjects were chosen among the patients who were diagnosed as having an odontogenic keratocyst or ameloblastoma at the Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 1996 to December 2000 and had CT scans taken preoperatively. The subject pool was comprised of 51 cases of odontogenic keratocyst and 37 cases of ameloblastoma. The following measures were used for image analysis of the lesion: the anatomic location, CT pattern, mesiodistal width, buccolingual width, the ratios between mesiodistal width and buccolingual width, height, CT number, homogeneity of radiodensity, the appearance of a sclerotic rim, continuity of adjacent cortical bone, and displacement and resorption of adjacent teeth. Results: Comparing the CT patten, mesiodistal width, buccolingual width, height, CT number, homogeneity, appearance of sclerotic rim, continuity of adjacent cortical bone, there were statistically significant differences between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst test subjects (p<0.05). Comparing the ratios between mesiodistal width and buccolingual width, displacement and resorption of adjacent teeth, there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: We compared odontogenic keratocysts and ameloblastomas in CT scans. They occurred most frequently in the posterior to the ramus of the mandible. The findings of patterns of the CT images showed that size and border of lesions were more aggressive in ameloblastomas than in odontogenic keratocysts. The internal contents represented an increased attenuation area (IAA) in odontopenic keratocyst. Odontogenic keratocysts were shown to have higher CT numbers than ameloblastomas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.355-362
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• 1998

A retrospective study of 15 cases of ameloblastoma in children and adolescents was performed. During the period of evaluation, 46 patients with ameloblastoma were seen, of which 15(32.6％) cases were in the patients aged 18 years or younger with the mean age of 14.5 years. There was more prevalence in male (1.5: 1). All the cases occured in the mandible, the molar and ramus area was the most frequent location(66.7％), and the most frequent sign was swelling of the face or jaw. Radiographically, 11(73.3％) cases manifested unilocular leion. Cortical expansion and root resorption were presented in 14(93.3％) and 11 (73.3％) cases respectively. Pexiform and plexiform unicystic types were common in the ameloblastoma occured in young patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.242-247
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• 2018

Ameloblastoma treatment varies based on the clinical, histopathologic, and radiographic characteristics. Aggressive surgical treatments, such as marginal or segmental resection, have traditionally been implemented, but some conservative surgical methods are also being introduced, including decompression, enucleation, or curettage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of applying these conservative surgical treatments to ameloblastoma and to analyze the prognosis of the procedures and their healing aspects. Among all patients who visited our clinic (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital at Gangdong) from 2009 to 2017, three who had undergone conservative surgery were recruited. One of these three patients underwent both excision of the lesion and an iliac bone graft during the same procedure. In the other two patients, due to the size of the lesion, decompression was performed to reduce the size of the lesion, and then conservative surgical treatments followed. As shown in the cases of this study, patients were only treated with conservative surgical methods, such as decompression or enucleation. During the follow-up period, there were no recurrences. In conclusion, the use of conservative surgical treatment in ameloblastoma can be a reliable, safe, and successful method.