Affiliations 

  • 1 University of Malaya
Malaysian Dental Journal, 2008;29(1):14-19.
MyJurnal

Abstract

The aim of present study was to determine if the radiological features noticed on dental panoramic radiographs can ascertain the different variants of ameloblastomas. Methods: A total number of 177 cases of ameloblastoma diagnosed in 5 centers in Malaysia were reviewed. The clinical records of these cases were analyzed with respect to age, sex, ethnicity, diagnosis of the lesions, anatomic site, size, side, year of diagnosis, status of the lesion, and characteristics of the lesions. Detailed radiographic features such as septation, calcification, effect on adjacent structures, periosteal reactions, demarcation and cortication of the border of the lesions were recorded. Results: The unicystic, plexiform and acanthomatous ameloblastomas tend to have unilocular radiolucencies as opposed to the follicular ameloblastoma, which demonstrated commonly multilocular radiolucency with soap-bubble appearance. The well-demarcated borders with thin condensed sclerotic border of the lesions appeared to be more significant in unicystic ameloblastoms. Moderately and poorly demarcated lesions are commonly found in follicular and acanthomatous ameloblastomas. Multiplanar pattern of root resorptions, protrusion of roots into lesions and cortical expansions with intact visible margins are commonly seen in ameloblastomas. Conclusion: The various histopathological patterns are not closely related to any specific radiological appearances in the jaws and there seems to be no direct or obvious correlation between the histopathological patterns of the tumours and the radiological appearance of ameloblastomas.