Ameloblastic fibroma: report of case.

A 3-year-old girl had a large, painless, radiolucent lesion that involved the right side of the mandible. The lesion extended from the canine region to the condyle and coronoid process. A microscopic diagnosis of ameloblastoma was made by the hospital pathologist. Because it is unusual to find an ameloblastoma in a 3-year-old child and because the extensive surgical procedure that would be necessary to remove an ameloblastoma of this size, further consultation was required. As a result, the lesion was diagnosed as an ameloblastic fibroma and a more conservative surgical procedure was performed. Sixteen months after surgery, radiographic evidence showed complete resolution of the bony surgical defect, with no evidence of recurrence. This case once again points out the necessity for exact diagnosis of similar histologic lesions that may require a different approach in treatment.