상악골에 발생한 법랑아세포종 1예

Ameloblastoma is an unusual epithelial tumor of odontogenic origin. According to many authors and reports, ameloblastoma account for approximately 1% of all tumors of the jaws. It occurs commonly at the mandible and rarely at the maxilla. Clinically, three subtypes are recognized：unicystic, multicystic and peripheral. Although it is considered benign, it can behave in a slowly growing infiltrative fashion, with multiple recurrences and eventual intracranial, or even distant spread. Standard treatment has not yet established. Various modes of therapy have been used, including curettage, cryotherapy, cautery, simple excision, radical excision, radiotherapy. While many investigators feel the only acceptable mode of treatment is radical en bloc resection, there are others who believe a more conservative surgical approach is often adequate. We have experienced a case of ameloblastoma occurring in the maxilla, and treated with medial maxillectomy. So, we present this case with a review of literature. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2004;15:316-319)