Acanthomatous ameloblastoma: A clinical rarity

Ameloblastomas are an enigmatic group of tumors affecting different parts of the body, namely, the pituitary gland (craniopharyngioma, Rathke′s pouch tumor), long bones, jaws, and soft tissues of the oral cavity. These are slow-growing benign tumors of the jaw, where patients usually present late, after the tumor achieves considerable size and causes facial disfigurement. Ameloblastomas show wide morphological spectra and may pose diagnostic difficulties. Of the different histological variants, acanthomatous type is a rare variant that has distinct features. The challenges in the management of this tumor lie in achieving complete excision, as recurrence is common with incomplete removal, and also to reconstruct the bony defect, to give a reasonable cosmetic and functional outcome to the patient. We report one such rare case of a large acanthomatous ameloblastoma affecting the mandible that has caused gross facial disfigurement