A Challenging Case Of Giant Maxillary Ameloblastoma: Navigating Rarity And Complexity In Diagnosis And Treatment
Authors:   Department of Reconstructive and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Fez, Morocco., TITOU Dr. ANOUAR , Youbi Dr. Hajar El ,   ENT and Cervico Facial Surgery Department, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., YOUBI Dr. Anouar BEN AMEUR EL ,   ENT and Cervico Facial Surgery Department, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., OUDIDI Prof. Abdellatif ,   ENT and Cervico Facial Surgery Department, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., HAMMAS Pr. Nawal ,   Anatomopathology Laboratory Department, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., KAMAL Pr. Dounia ,   Department of Reconstructive and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Fez, Morocco., AMINE Pr. Mohamed Noureddine EL ALAMI EL ,   ENT and Cervico Facial Surgery Department, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.
Published: October 2024

Background: Ameloblastoma is a rare, aggressive, benign odontogenic tumor that most commonly occurs in the jaw. Maxillary occurrences are rarely reported. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 61-year-old male presenting with right-sided unilateral nasal obstruction, characterized by a mass occupying the entire right nasal fossa upon anterior rhinoscopy. A computed tomography (CT) scan, combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed a locally advanced mass centered on the right maxillary sinus. The patient underwent wide excision of the mass, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastoma. Discussion: Naso-sinus ameloblastomas are rare, benign, and slow-growing tumors, accounting for approximately 0.11% of nasal and sinus tumors. More common in men, they typically present between the ages of 20 and 30. Symptoms include nasal obstruction and epistaxis, with occasional facial swelling or headaches. These tumors often originate in the posterior maxillary region and extend into the maxillary sinuses and nasal cavity. Diagnosis is facilitated by imaging, where the tumors appear as solid, radio-opaque masses. Radical surgical resection is the preferred treatment, as it is essential for preventing recurrence. The prognosis is generally favorable, with no documented cases of malignant transformation or metastasis, and recurrences are rare when appropriate surgical management is performed. Conclusion: Medical imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and allows for the evaluation of tumor dissemination and anatomical involvement. The treatment of maxillary ameloblastoma typically involves surgical excision, with the complexity of management often linked to the extent of tumor spread.