Ameloblastoma in the posterior maxilla: a case report

A 61-year-old male patient presented a painless, well-defined, expansive tumor on the left maxillary edentulous alveolar ridge, which had 18 months of evolution. The lesion measured 30 × 20 mm, had a soft consistency, and was covered by healthy mucosa, though with a localized ulcer. Medical history revealed type II diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Panoramic radiograph showed an unilocular, radiolucent image expanding into the left maxillary sinus, with corticated margins. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a well-defined, expansive, hypodense image involving the posterior alveolar ridge and extending into the maxillary sinus. Under a clinical hypothesis of mesenchymal neoplasia or fibro-osseous lesion, a puncture was performed, with a negative result. An incisional biopsy was undertaken and the histopathological diagnosis was ameloblastoma. The lesion was resected under general anesthesia, with clear margins. The final diagnosis was conventional (solid) ameloblastoma and the patient has been free of recurrence for 5 months. Support: CAPES. A 61-year-old male patient presented a painless, well-defined, expansive tumor on the left maxillary edentulous alveolar ridge, which had 18 months of evolution. The lesion measured 30 × 20 mm, had a soft consistency, and was covered by healthy mucosa, though with a localized ulcer. Medical history revealed type II diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Panoramic radiograph showed an unilocular, radiolucent image expanding into the left maxillary sinus, with corticated margins. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a well-defined, expansive, hypodense image involving the posterior alveolar ridge and extending into the maxillary sinus. Under a clinical hypothesis of mesenchymal neoplasia or fibro-osseous lesion, a puncture was performed, with a negative result. An incisional biopsy was undertaken and the histopathological diagnosis was ameloblastoma. The lesion was resected under general anesthesia, with clear margins. The final diagnosis was conventional (solid) ameloblastoma and the patient has been free of recurrence for 5 months. Support: CAPES.