Clinical and radiologic features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical and radiologic features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four cases of DA among Chinese patients were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical and radiologic features of DA at present, as reported in the English-language literature, were reviewed and its radiologic characteristics critically evaluated.

RESULTS

This study included 23 cases of intraosseous lesions and 1 case of extraosseous lesion. Clinically, DA is mainly located in the anterior and/or the premolar region of the jaw, with a slight male prominence. Among 23 intraosseous lesions, 9 cases occurred in the maxilla and 14 occurred in the mandible. Radiographically, 69.6% (16 of 23) exhibited ill-defined borders. Root displacement occurred in 47.9% of patients (11 of 23) and root resorption occurred in 8.7% of patients (2 of 23). Three radiologic presentations of DA were identified as follows: type I, which is both radiolucent and radiopaque in appearance (osteofibrosis type); type II, which has a completely radiolucent appearance (radiolucent type); and type III, which is both radiolucent and radiopaque in appearance combined with a large radiolucent change (compound type). The osteofibrosis type (14 cases) is the most common pattern, and the compound type is the least common (only 3 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

DA has a potentially aggressive behavior. Moreover, it exhibits 3 different radiologic characteristics. Although DA should be differentiated from osteofibrosis lesions frequently described in the literature, some uncommon radiographic patterns should be considered in the differential diagnosis of this rare odontogenic tumor.