Clinical Pattern and Management of Ameloblastoma at Tertiary Care Hospital of Sindh

OBJECTIVES: To determine clinical presentation of ameloblastoma and to plan treatment protocol of ameloblastoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION : Department of Plastic Surgery Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro from January 2000 to December 2005 (6 years). DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE : Clinical information, radiographs, CT scan and other medical details collected from medical records of Department of Plastic Surgery were evaluated. Total 12 cases of ameloblastoma (diagnosed through biopsy) were treated during this period. Data were analysed by using SPSS version 10.0. Study variables were age, sex, type of tumour (unilocular/multilocular) and treatment advised. RESULTS : Data records of 12 patients were evaluated. The patients age ranged from 10-years to 60 years with 9 males and 3 females. Ten patients had the lesion in mandible involving the body and extending up to condyle. Two patients had tumour in maxillae. Two patients with recurrent lesions received radiotherapy for tumour size regression. Radical surgery (hemimendibelectomy) was performed in 5 patients. Two patients had with recurrent tumour marsupialisation. Enucleation and curettage done in 5 patients, which included 2 maxillary and 3 unilocular mendibular tumours. Reconstruction with iliac bone graft was performed in one patient and with plating in one patient. All patients were lost for follow up. CONCLUSION : When planning the treatment of ameloblastoma it is important to understand the growth characteristics and removing the full extension of tumour, including the surrounding tissue. Other factor to be considered during operation of ameloblastoma is solid nature of tumour, destruction of the inferior border of mandible, infiltration close to the skull base. Reconstruction procedure is good for functioning and esthetic mandibular problems.