Ameloblastoma: Cytopathologic profile of 12 cases and literature review

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been used as a diagnostic tool in evaluating suspected lesions. It shows a high diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing salivary gland lesions. AIM: The aim of this study was to highlight FNAC as an effective diagnostic tool in the presumptive diagnosis of ameloblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 cases of ameloblastoma sampled by FNAC retrieved from the archives of the Oral Pathology Department were retrospectively studied. The smears were alcohol-fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. All the 12 cases of FNAC had subsequent corresponding surgical incisional biopsy or excision specimens. RESULTS: Cytologically, seven cases were diagnosed as benign odontogenic tumor more in favor of ameloblastoma. All the 12 fine-needle aspiration cases were given a histopathologic work-up and diagnosed as ameloblastomas. Of these, the seven cytologically diagnosed benign odontogenic lesions were also confirmed to be ameloblastoma by both incisional biopsy as well as surgical excision. CONCLUSION: It was deduced from the above results that FNAC helps potentially in diagnosing ameloblastoma.