Clinico-radiologic features of four cases of ameloblastoma

Ameloblastomas are jaw tumors that are locally aggressive with a high capacity for recurrence. It arises from the epithelium of the dental lamina. Radiograph remains the first and an essential investigation, despite the development of various cross-sectional imaging modalities. Aim: This article intends to describe the clinical findings and orthopantomograph (OPG) supported by computed tomography scan (CT scan) and MRI of four cases of ameloblastomas in the hospital University Sains Malaysia. Materials and methods: Data concerning the patients' ages, sex, tumor locations, and surgical treatment history, as well as the radiographic findings, were analysed. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 23 to 41 years (mean, 30.5 years). The gender of patients were two male (50%) and 2 (50%) females. Three cases (75%) of ameloblastomas located in the mandible and only one case found in the maxilla. The swelling was the most common symptom and experienced by all patients. Radiographically, two cases were unilocular with a well-demarcated border, and the remaining 2 cases were multilocular. Typical features of unicystic ameloblastoma appeared in case 1. This case previously presented with a lesion in the same area diagnosed as a dentigerous cyst. The other 3 cases showed variant types of ameloblastoma. These were Plexiform, Acanthomatous and Granular cell type; follicular and plexiform type; and follicular and plexiform type in case 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Conclusion: In conclusions, determination the location and density of jaws lesion and its margin relation to the tooth using radiological tool accompanied with clinical data, aids in the narrowing of the differential diagnosis and it is necessary for early diagnosis of ameloblastoma. A Long-term follow-up at regular intervals after surgery is recommended for all ameloblastomas cases

P53 gene mutation and protein expression in ameloblastomas

P53 gene is commonly found to be mutated in human cancer. Currently, limited data exist on the occurrence of p53 gene mutation in ameloblastomas. This study designed to evaluate the expression of p53 proteins and their gene mutations in human ameloblastomas. Four cases of epithelial odontogenic tumors were used. Normal cells of a 7 months aborted fetus’s mandible were used as negative control. P53 Protein expression was detected immunohistochemically. DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR. Gene sequences analyzed to determine p53 mutation. p53 was overexpressed in one case of unicystic ameloblastoma and 2 cases of variant types of ameloblastoma. The Coding sequencing analyses demonstrated p53 gene alteration in cases of ameloblastoms in Exon 7 while, fetus epithelial mucosal cells showed the wild type DNA sequence in Exon 4. In conclusion p53 protein overexpression was detected by immunohistochemical staining as well as by DNA sequence analysis in cases of ameloblastomas.