Desmoplastic ameloblastoma mimicking a periapical lesion

Case Description: This tumour appeared in the anterior region of the left upper jaw of a 24year-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 peaklike 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.