Large maxillary ameloblastoma: a case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a rare epithelial tumor of odontogenic origin. Ameloblastoma is mostly encountered in the mandible but it is rarely seen in maxilla. It may reveal difficulties in distinguishing other odontogenic and non-odontogenic jaw tumours because it can mimic symptoms and diagnosis of these. Although it is considered as a benign disease it can grow very rapidly and infiltrate the surrounding tissues. The lesions in the maxilla tend to be more extensive and invasive than those in the mandible because of the lesser amount of dense cortical bone. This case report presents one of the large maxillary ameloblastomas with an extention to periorbital tissues, infratemporal fossa, paranasal sinuses, hard palate and premaxillary subcutaneous tissue.

Keywords

• large ameloblastoma
• maxilla
• odontogenic tumor.