AMELOBLASTOMA: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC REVIEW OF CASES SEEN IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE IN GOMBE, NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are several studies on the pattern and presentation of ameloblastoma in different parts of Nigeria and Africa but there is paucity of study from North Eastern part of Nigeria.

 OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinicopathologic pattern of classic intraosseous ameloblastoma in a tertiary health centre in North- Eastern part of Nigeria.

 METHODS: Records of all patients diagnosed of classic interosseous ameloblastoma at the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe from January 2002 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

 RESULTS: Fifty three (53) cases of ameloblastoma were diagnosed during the period of study. Patients’ age range from 14-80 years with a mean age of 31.6 ± 16.4 years and a peak incidence within the 21-40 years age group. The male to female ratio was 2.1:1 and posterior mandible was most commonly affected. Most patients presented with multilocular radiolucent lesion and the follicular type was the most predominant histological variant. There was male predominance of the follicular and plexiform, while the acanthomatous variant was more prevalent among the females.

CONCLUSION: Ameloblastoma was the commonest odontogenic tumour in this study. It was commonly seen in patients within 21-40 year age group and among males. Posterior mandible was the most common site with a predominant multilocular lesion and follicular variant histologically