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Case Reports
. 2025 Jul 13;17(7):e87870.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.87870. eCollection 2025 Jul.

Unicystic Ameloblastoma: A Diagnostic Conundrum

Nidhhi Bihani  1 , Sanjay Byakodi  1 , Jyoti M Biradar  1 , Ankita Kadam  1 , Mushtak Khan  1 , Nupur Chawla  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Unicystic Ameloblastoma: A Diagnostic Conundrum

Nidhhi Bihani et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA), a rare entity among ameloblastomas, is characterized as a tumor that typically occurs in a younger population. This case report aims to emphasize the significance of conducting histopathological examinations on all jawbone lesions, regardless of whether they appear clinically or radiologically insignificant. This study aims to present a case involving UA in a 12-year-old patient, shedding light on its management and follow-up, to assess the prognosis of surgical treatment. The 12-year-old male patient visited the outpatient department. With a complaint of swelling in the right. A maxillary region that had been present for the past three months, which was hard, painless, and measured approximately 6 x 3.5 cm. On Intraoral examination, a painless swelling was observed extending from the right maxillary canine to the distal side of the permanent first molar on the same side. The swelling had a normal texture and consistency, and it was not fixed to the underlying structures. Enucleation with removal of the permanent second molar along with curettage under general anesthesia was the planned treatment, with the differential diagnosis of UA. It was the first diagnosed as a dentigerous cyst and treated with enucleation, removal of the permanent second molar. The actual diagnosis was confirmed after histopathological examination, which revealed Luminal Variant of UA with cystic linings supported by fibrocellular stroma. Cystic lining was composed of a three- to four-layered, four-layer-thick odontogenic epithelium. In these cases, long-term follow-up is necessary as recurrence rates are high. Frequent post-surgical radiographic examinations favor early detection of recurrence.

Keywords: curretage; dentigerous cyst; enucleation; unicystic ameloblastoma; unilocular.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preoperative profile of the patient: a 12-year-old male showing prominent swelling on the right side of the face.
Figure 2
Figure 2. CBCT image showing radiographic evaluation of the ameloblastoma visualized in the scan.
CBCT, cone beam computed tomography
Figure 3
Figure 3. Exposure of the flap: Incision given, followed by exposure of the neoplasm.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Enucleated cystic content along with the second molar.
Figure 5
Figure 5. OPG taken at the two-year follow-up to check for recurrence of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA).
OPG, orthopantomogram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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