Delayed soft tissue recurrence after treatment of ameloblastoma in a black African: Case report and review of the literature

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is rare worldwide. Delayed treatment can result in significant morbidity from facial deformity and infiltration of adjacent tissues. Mortality can occur from invasion of vital structures in the head and neck, super infection, recurrent and even distant metastases. Recurrence after radical treatment is not common. Case report: This paper presents a case of soft issue recurrence in the chin 21 years after radical resection of the mandible for ameloblastoma. The iliac crest bone grafted to the site was not involved in the tumour recurrence. Conclusion. Radical surgical resection is accepted treatment for solid/multicystic ameloblastoma. However, the surgical review should be for life as recurrence can occur after a long interval. (C) 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.