Evaluation of characteristic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in older patients with ameloblastoma

抄録

Purpose : Ameloblastomas (AB) are characterized by slow, invasive growth, most frequently affecting younger adults. This study aimed to evaluate characteristic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in older patients with AB.

Material and Methods : The study participants consisted of 16 patients (13 men and 3 women ; mean age, 70.69 years ; age range, 66-78 years) with confirmed AB. CT and MR images were assessed for location, size, unilocular or multilocular, bulging of the jawbone, cortical bone thinning, tooth displacement, root resorption, signal intensity, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Lesion size differences with and without root resorption were compared. Statistical significance was set at P＜0.05.

Results : Most ABs occurred in the mandible (13/16). The lesion size on CT was 14-63 mm. CT revealed bulging of the jawbone (14/16) and cortical bone thinning (16/16) ; tooth displacement (5/16) and root resorption (6/16) varied. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed low-to-intermediate signals on T1-weighted images and low-to-high signals on T1-weighted images ; as calculated using diffusion-weighted imaging, ADC ranged from 1.24−2.37×10⁻³ mm²/s. Median lesion sizes with and without root resorption were 39 mm and 27 mm, respectively (P＜0.05).

Conclusion : These CT and MRI findings could aid accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for older patients with AB.