Ameloblastic fibroma: Presentation and management at two Nigerian tertiary hospitals

Abstract

Background: Ameloblastic fibroma (AMF) is a relatively uncommon neoplasm of odontogenic origin.

Aim: To appraise the prevalence, presentation and management of AMF in two major tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.

Methods: Histopathology records of the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the two hospitals were reviewed and histologically confirmed cases of AMF seen over a 23- year period were selected. The case records of the selected cases were retrieved and the presentation and management of the disease were analyzed and discussed.

Results: Seventeen cases of histologically confirmed AMF were seen over the period under study. The age range was 10 - 63 years and mean age of occurrence was 27.1 + 16  years, there was no sex predilection but the mandible was the commonest site of occurrence. Most cases were treated by conservative excision but some cases had more extensive resection. No tumour recurrence was observed over an average follow up period of 2 years.

Conclusion: AMF with a prevalence of 3.1% in this study, remains a rare variety of odontogenic tumour and is amenable to conservative surgical excision preptrrrase. Large lesions may warrant more radical resection but recurrence is generally rare.

Key words: Ameloblastic, Fibroma, Presentation, Management