A Challenging Case Of Giant Maxillary Ameloblastoma: Navigating Rarity And Complexity In Diagnosis And Treatment

Abstract

Background: Ameloblastoma is a rare, aggressive, benign odontogenic tumor that most commonly occurs in the mandible. Maxillary occurrences are rarely reported.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 61-year-old male presenting with right-sided unilateral nasal obstruction, characterized by a mass occupying the entire right nasal fossa upon anterior rhinoscopy. A computed tomography (CT) scan, combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed a locally advanced mass centered on the right maxillary sinus. The patient underwent wide excision of the mass, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastoma.

Discussion: Naso-sinusal ameloblastomas are rare, benign, and slow-growing tumors, accounting for approximately 0.11% of nasal and sinus tumors. More common in men, they typically present between the ages of 20 and 30. Symptoms include nasal obstruction and epistaxis, with occasional facial swelling or headaches. These tumors often originate in the posterior maxillary region and extend into the maxillary sinuses and nasal cavity. Diagnosis is facilitated by imaging, where the tumors appear as solid, radio-opaque masses. Radical surgical resection is the preferred treatment, as it is essential for preventing recurrence. The prognosis is generally favorable, with no documented cases of malignant transformation or metastasis, and recurrences are rare when appropriate surgical management is performed.

Conclusion: Medical imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and allows for the evaluation of tumor dissemination and anatomical involvement. The treatment of maxillary ameloblastoma typically involves surgical excision, with the complexity of management often linked to the extent of tumor spread.

Keywords:

ameloblastoma, naso-sinusal tumor’s, maxillary sinus

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