Desmoplastic ameloblastoma mimicking a periapical lesion

Authors

  • Esaú Pinheiro dos Santos Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.
  • Francisco Emanuel Nascimento Araújo Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.
  • Daisy Pereira Valido MSc. Post-graduating Program in Health and Environment, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil
  • Sônia Oliveira Lima PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil
  • Ricardo Luiz Albuquerque Cavalcanti Júnior PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil
  • Andrea Ferreira Ferreira Soares PhD. Departament of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju/SE. Brazil

Keywords:

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma, odontogenic tumor, periapical lesion

Abstract

Purpose: Desmoplastic Ameloblastoma (DA) is a rare variant of ameloblastoma, with specific clinical, imaginological and histopathological features. The biologic profile of this tumor is not fully understood because of the limited number of reported cases. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of DA mimicking a periapical lesion. Case Description: This tumour appeared in the anterior region of the left upper jaw of a 24-year-old female, between left lateral incisor and canine. The lesion was painless and only a slight swelling of the hard palate mucosa was noted. Radiographically, a well-delimited peak-like radiolucent area promoting root divergence was observed. The lateral incisor failed in responding positively to the pulp tests. Provisional diagnosis of radicular cyst versus fissural cyst was established and surgical enucleation followed by curettage was carried out. Histological examination of the specimens revealed proliferation of nests and cords of compressed odontogenic epithelium immersed in a densely collagenized stroma, associated to a few irregular bone trabeculae. Conclusion: These features were consistent with DA. The presence of a pulpally necrotic incisor and the atypical radiographic appearance obscured the disease. Despite the high rates of recurrence, no clinical or radiographic sign of reincidence of the tumor was detected one year later.

Author Biographies

Esaú Pinheiro dos Santos, Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.

Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.

Francisco Emanuel Nascimento Araújo, Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.

Graduate student. School of Dentistry, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil.

Daisy Pereira Valido, MSc. Post-graduating Program in Health and Environment, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil

MSc. Post-graduating Program in Health and Environment, University Tiradentes, Aracaju/SE. Brazil

Sônia Oliveira Lima, PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil

PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil

Ricardo Luiz Albuquerque Cavalcanti Júnior, PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil

PhD. Laboratory of Morphology and Structural Pathology. Science and Technology Institute. Aracaju/SE. Brazil

Andrea Ferreira Ferreira Soares, PhD. Departament of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju/SE. Brazil

PhD. Departament of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju/SE. Brazil

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Published

2010-06-22

Issue

Section

Case Report