GINGIVAL HYPERTROPHY- HYPERPLASIA? PERIPHERAL AMELOBLASTOMA!

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and histological features and treatment of Pheripheral ameloblastoma. Pheripheral Ameloblastoma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor that concerns soft tissue and have a typical extraosseous localization. Material and Methods: Aim of this work is to show its clinical and histological characters, to have, by this way, an useful information for differential diagnosis with other oral neoformations, comparing the data of literature with our data, collected in ten years of clinical activity of Odontostomatologic Unit of Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina in Rome. Results: Prognosis of PA is certainly favourable, with a restitution ad integrum near to 100%. In the period between July 2001 and July 2010 we reported 5 diagnosis of P.A. Medium age of the group with diagnosis of PA was 71,4 y with a SD: 3,65. P.A.'s incidence in the our sample of patients was 0,24%. Conclusion: It's possible to conclude that PA is a benign odontogenic tumor that requires a careful diagnosis, a complete surgical eradication and adequate follow up, because malignant evolution is rare but possible. Clinical Significance: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive neoplasia that arises from odontogenic ephitelium, mandible is the most prevalent localization and intraosseous form is the most frequent type. 1. It can be recognized in three subtypes(1): 2. Intraosseous multicystic or solid type; 3. Intraosseous unicystic type; 4. Peripheral or extraosseous type (P.A.). Multicystic type represents 86% of all ameloblastomas, unicystic type 13% and the peripheral form 1% (2). The diagnosis is based on both the clinical and histologic characteristics. Caution is required during their surgical excision to avoid recurrence. Radiografically it appears to be external to cortical bone. In some cases it's possible to point out the cupping or saucerization effect, because the tumour due to its pressure effects a concavity on the osseous surface (1,3,4). P.A. have a non invasive behaviour, but it has however a recurrence rate of 16-19%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]