MAXILLARY AMELOBLASTIC FIBRO-ODONTOMA IN A 6-YEAR-OLD BOY

Ameloblastic fibroma (AF), ameloblastic fibrodentinoma (AFD), and ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) comprise a group of benign odontogenic tumors histologically similar to a developing odontoma. AFD produces dentin matrix, and AFO produces both enamel and dentin. Due to histologic similarities, some authors believe that these lesions actually represent stages of a developing odontoma. Nevertheless, there are well-documented cases of these tumors presenting unexpected clinical behavior, such as progressive growth and considerable bone destruction. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with an expansive painless intraosseous mass in the posterior right maxillary region, diagnosed as AFD after incisional biopsy. CT scans showed an extensive, well-circumscribed, unilocular, hypodense lesion, containing a radiodense mass and displacing the 17-tooth germ to the infraorbital region. The tumor was surgically removed by conservative curettage. The following histopathologic examination of the entire surgical specimen revealed an AFO. The patient is currently under careful follow-up, without recurrence.