UNICYSTIC AMELOBLASTOMA: RAISING OBSCURITY IN PERIRADICULAR DIAGNOSIS - A Case Report

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor; whose importance lies in its potential to grow to enormous size with resulting bone deformity. Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is a less encountered variant of amelobastoma. The neoplastic nature of the lesion becomes evident only when the enucleated material is available for histologic examination. Although its predilection is for the posterior mandibular region, but its presence in the periradicular area mimicing a cyst and a granuloma cannot be overlooked upon. Despite the clinical diagnosis of periapical disease of endodontic origin, a non endodontic lesion may be present. Hence, lesions such as UA located on periapical area of a tooth can lead to a pulp-periapical misdiagnosis, and should be considered in differential diagnosis. This paper illustrates a case of unicystic ameloblastoma present in the anterior maxillary region that clinically and radiographically resembled an inflammatory pathosis, emphasizing the importance of correct diagnosis and treatment.