Asymptomatic ameloblastoma of the maxilla with infratemporal fossa involvement: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Diagnosis of odontogenic tumors can be challenging due to their rarity and diverse morphology. The clinical diagnosis could be suspected when it had raised near the tooth. But, when their location is not typical, like inside the paranasal sinuses, the diagnosis is less easy. Maxillary ameloblastomas are rare with only sparse information on their epidemiological, histological and effective management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old woman presented with ameloblastoma of the left maxillary sinus. Intraoral examination revealed partially edentulous with a 2 cm painless ulceration of the left alveolar process of the maxilla. A biopsy was performed which showed a follicular ameloblastoma. The treatment was surgical. She had a combined endoscopic and transoral resection of the tumor. The patient was diagnosed with recurrence within 3 months from surgery. DISCUSSION: although rarely reported, clinicians should still suspect and know how to manage such as rare and locally invasive tumor as a maxillary ameloblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: As odontogenic tumors are rare, some entities are infrequently encountered, making the diagnosis more difficult. Clinicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral pathologists should be familiar with the ameloblastoma and its differential diagnosis for accurate diagnosis and management.