Acanthomatous ameloblastoma.

A clinical, radiographic and histopathologic report is presented of a case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in relation to a cystic lesion surrounding an impacted third molar in the left mandible of a 37-year-old healthy woman. The histological examination of the removed specimen revealed the histopathological pattern of an acanthomatous ameloblastoma. In the discussion a survey is presented of the literature concerning acanthomatous ameloblastoma. Special attention is thereby given to the question of malignancy. It is stated that the metaplastic transformation into squamous epithelium which occurs in acanthomatous ameloblastoma does not predispose to malignant changes, to increased recurrent rate or to more extensive invasion of the tumor.