Ameloblastomas mimicking apical periodontitis: a case series

BACKGROUND: Ameloblastomas are benign odontogenic tumors that can eventually mimic the clinical and radiological features of apical periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics from a series of ameloblastomas mimicking apical periodontitis diagnosed in a 14-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: all cases histologically diagnosed as ameloblastomas from 2005 to 2018 presenting a clinical diagnosis of periapical lesion of endodontic origin were selected for the study. Clinical, radiological and histological characteristics from all cases were tabulated and descriptively and comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty cases composed the final sample, including 18 solid and 2 unicystic ameloblastomas. Mean age of the affected patients was in the fifth decade with predilection for males (72%). The most common anatomical location was the posterior mandible (55%) and most cases presented a radiolucent unilocular (80%) well-defined (95%) image. Most cases were asymptomatic, but the presence of local swelling and bone cortical rupture were common. CONCLUSIONS: Ameloblastomas mimicking periapical lesions of endodontic origin are mostly diagnosed in adult males as well-defined radiolucent unilocular lesions producing local swelling and bone cortical rupture. Key words:Ameloblastoma, apical periodontitis, cyst, differencial diagnosis, granuloma, periapical lesion.