Research
Clinicopathological analysis of histological variants of ameloblastoma in a suburban Nigerian population
1 Department of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
2 Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
Head & Face Medicine 2006, 2:42 doi:10.1186/1746-160X-2-42
Published: 24 November 2006Abstract
Background
This study was carried out to establish the relative incidence and provide clinico-pathologic information on the various histological types of ameloblastoma seen at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex, Ile-Ife in order to provide a baseline data which will be of significance to the pathologist and clinician.
Methods
Clinico-pathologic data on a total of 77 histologically diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma archieved at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife over a 15 year period were obtained and analysed descriptively.
Results
Follicular ameloblastoma was the most common histological type (50 cases, 64.9%), followed by plexiform ameloblastoma (10 cases, 13.0%). 4 (5.2%) cases of desmoplastic and 3 (3.9%) cases of acanthomatous ameloblastoma were seen while the basal cell variant accounted for 2 (2.6%) cases. Only 1 case of the unicystic type was seen. Some of the 77 cases presented as a mixture of two or more histological types. Ameloblastoma occurred over an age range of 11 to 70 years with a peak age incidence in the 3rd decade.
Conclusion
This study provides a baseline data on variants of ameloblastoma as obtained in a suburban Nigerian population. Since variants of ameloblastoma differ in biologic behaviour, the data collected in this study provides clinicopathologic information which is of significance to the pathologist and clinician.
