Ameloblastoma in Chongqing children and adolescents: a review of 16 cases.
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BACKGROUND: Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor of odontogenic epithelial origin, characterized by local aggression and a high recurrence rate in adults. Although rare in children, it accounts for 10 to 15 % of all ameloblastoma cases. However, a consensus on the clinicopathological features and treatment protocols for this condition remains lacking. PURPOSE: This study aims to summarize the clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastoma in pediatric patients within the oral and maxillofacial regions. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, and histological data from sixteen pediatric patients who underwent surgical curettage followed by pathological diagnosis of ameloblastoma were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 11 males and 5 females, yielding a male-to-female ratio of 2.1:1. Patient age at diagnosis ranged from 2 to 13 years (mean age: 7.6 years). Lesions were located in the maxilla in two cases and the mandible in fourteen. Within the mandible, lesions were predominantly found in the posterior teeth region (7 cases, 50.0 %), followed by the mandibular angle (3 cases, 21.43 %), the angle and ramus (1 case, 7.14 %), the ramus (1 case, 7.14 %), the midline of the mandible (1 case, 7.14 %), and the anterior mandible (1 case, 7.14 %). Painless swelling was the most common symptom, observed in 9 of 16 patients (56.25 %). All patients were treated surgically. Radiological findings revealed unilocular lesions in 14 cases, while 2 cases exhibited multilocular lesions. Histologically, 14 cases presented with the solid type, and 2 cases with the unicystic type. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 1 to 81 months, with one recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate of ameloblastoma in children is relatively low. Unicystic ameloblastoma is more prevalent in this population. Simple surgical curettage typically results in a favorable prognosis with minimal recurrence. Early and accurate recognition of the disease's clinical, radiological, and histological features is critical in reducing misdiagnosis.