Recurrent ameloblastoma in Jamaica: review of 12 cases and report of an historic case

ABSTRACT

The authors review 12 instances of recurrence of ameloblastoma of the mandible in Jamaica between 1980 and 1995, a period of 15 years. A "historic" case report is also presented for a patient in who ameloblastoma recurred about 7 times in his mandible within a 20 year period. Over the last 15 years various modalities of treatment have been used in the management of ameloblastoma in Jamaica and this includes enucleation, curettage, radical resection followed by reconstruction with corticocancellous autogenous bone grafts from iliac crest, and cryosurgery with or without enucleation. Irrespective of which modalities of treatment were used, the ameloblastoma recurred. It is interesting to come across a case of recurrent ameloblastoma within a bone graft from the iliac crest 13 years after radical resection and reconstruction with the bone graft in question. In conclusion, the management of ameloblastoma may seem to be controversial. We suggest a radical procedure for these lesions which can be said to benign yet aggressive and locally recurrent. Conservative management may only lead to an unacceptable rate of recurrence.(AU)