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Ameloblastoma of Maxilla

Case contributed by: Dr. K.Aditya

Presentation:

Bilateral painless symmetric swelling over maxillary region of 1year duration in a child of age - 10 years.

From the case: Ameloblastoma of Maxilla

Case Discussion:

Histopathology will show cells that have the tendency to move the nucleus away from the basement membrane. This process is referred to as "Reverse Polarization". The follicular type will have outer arrangement of columnar or palisaded ameloblast like cells and inner zone of triangular shaped cells resembling stellate reticulum in bell stage. The central cells sometimes degenerate to form central microcysts. The plexiform type has epithelium that proliferates in a "Fish Net Pattern". The plexiform ameloblastoma shows epithelium proliferating in a 'cord like fashion', hence the name 'plexiform'. There are layers of cells in between the proliferating epithelium with a well-formed desmosomal junctions, simulating spindle cell layers.