Conservative treatment in a paediatric patient with a Type II unicystic ameloblastoma

Objectives: Primary odontogenic tumours (such as ameloblastomas) are very rare in paediatric patients. Their presence in children alter craniofacial growth and development; and often result in psychological and social disorders. Even though they are benign, ameloblastomas are locally aggressive and often recur if not excised entirely. These lesions are usually treated by resection or conservatively, with marsupialization or enucleation with peripheral ostectomy.

Methods: We report on the treatment outcome of a paediatric patient who presented with an ameloblastoma in the mandible
Results: A 15 year old boy presented with a large, expansile lesion in the ramus angle region of the mandible. Incisional biopsy confirmed the lesion as a Type II unicystic ameloblastoma.Treatment consisted of unroofing of the bone overlying the lesion followed by enucleation with peripheral ostectomy with preservation of the inferior alveolar nerve
Conclusions: Treatment of ameloblastomas in paediatric patients are aimed at not only restoring function and aesthetics but must also consider the potential impact of the treatment and reconstruction on craniofacial growth. Modification of the conservative treatment using the syringe allowed for complete regeneration of bone in the large cavity without the need for bone graft or resection of the lesion. This approach should perhaps be the standard of care in ameloblastomas without cortical breakthrough in paediatric patients