Ameloblastoma in children and adolescents: A seven-year study in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence and clinicopathologic features of ameloblastoma in children and adolescent patients at a tertiary health centre in Enugu Southeast Nigeria.

Methods: This is a seven-year (2012 to 2018) retrospective observational study of children and adolescent patients below 19 years of age. Their biodata and clinico-pathologic information were extracted from the biopsy forms, histopathology reports and case files archived in the Records department. Further clinicopathologic information obtained included: gender, site of tumour, age at presentation, duration, type of tumour fluid aspirate (straw, dark-brown, serosanguinous, purulent, negative aspirate), presence of ulceration, complaint of pain, histologic type of ameloblastoma diagnosis, and the age-at-onset of tumour (the time of patients or guardians’ awareness of occurrence of the tumour before presentation).

Results: Thirty-seven (34.4%) out of 93 cases of ameloblastoma were observed in children and adolescents. The mean age was 13.59±2.87 years, with age range of 6 years to 18 years. Male patients were 15 (40.5%) in number, and female patients were 22 (59.5%) with a male to female ratio of 0.7:1. Children in the study (1-10 years) constituted 13.5% (5) while adolescents (11-18 years) made up 86.5% (32). One (2.7%) recurrence was recorded. Pain was an attribute in 59.5% of the patients and was reported early in the lesion. Tumour fluid aspiration was positive in 83.8% of patients. Straw fluid was the commonest tumour aspirate in 61.3% of patients. Straw-coloured aspirates predominated in children while all the dark-brown aspirates were observed in adolescents.

Conclusion: Ameloblastoma is a common odontogenic tumour in children and adolescents in Enugu. Low recurrence rate, posterior mandibular location, pain and straw-coloured tumour fluids are typical clinical observations.