Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2017 Dec;39(12):38. 10.1186/s40902-017-0134-0.

Conservative management (marsupialization) of unicystic ameloblastoma: literature review and a case report

• Kim J
• Nam E
• Yoon S

• KMID: 2400061
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-017-0134-0

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In this study, we present a case of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) treated by marsupialization followed by surgical enucleation as a conservative approach. UA is a rare, benign, less aggressive, and less invasive variant of ameloblastoma that is observed quite often in younger patients. Radical approaches have effects on the physical and psychological development of a growing young patient; therefore, conservative approaches are widely used for UA management in children.
CASE PRESENTATION
This report described a case of an 11-year-old girl with UA of the mandibular molar-ramus area, which also involved impaction of the second and third molars. The lesion was marsupialized, and 31 months after marsupialization, surgical enucleation was performed with extraction of the impacted third molar. The second molar, which was preserved, spontaneously and completely erupted. No recurrence was observed during a 49-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Conservative treatments for UA in young patients have more advantages. Our results provide evidence that marsupialization is effective in regressing the lesion size to ease complete removal, preserving mandibular growth, maintaining involved second molar, and promoting the eruption of the tooth.

Keyword

Unicystic ameloblastoma; Conservative treatment; Marsupialization; Tooth eruption

MeSH Terms

Ameloblastoma*
Child
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Molar
Molar, Third
Recurrence
Tooth
Tooth Eruption