The pattern and occurrence of ameloblastoma in adolescents treated at a university teaching hospital, in Kenya: a 13-year study

Abstract

Ameloblastoma presenting in the adolescent age group is rare with few studies documenting their occurrence. AIM: The aim of this study was to carry out an analysis of the pattern and occurrence of ameloblastoma in those less than 20 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients from the University of Nairobi Dental teaching Hospital treated for ameloblastoma were included in the study over a 13-year period. The study highlights the demographic, clinic-radiographic and histologic features of benign locally aggressive lesions. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were recorded of which, 27 (21.3%) were below the age of 20 years; no case was reported below the age of 10 years. 18.5% were below the age of 14 years and 81.5% were 15-19 years old. The gender predilection was ∼1:1. All of the tumours occurred in the mandible, with radiographic features of a multilocular radiolucencies (85.2%); and a fewer unilocular lesions (14.8%). The management is in a staged-wise approach: resection and/or disarticulation with temporary reconstruction using mandibular stainless steel or titanium plates and delayed bone grafting. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of ameloblastoma can mimic an odontogenic cyst, clinicians therefore need to be vigilant when examining adolescents so that conservative treatment is started early in order to reduce the subsequent morbidity