Abstract
We report a case of upper gingival primary peripheral ameloblastoma occupying the masticatory space, centering on the infratemporal fossa.
A 72-year-old male had noticed a painless mass of the left upper gingiva 6 months earlier. Upon oral examination, the tumor extended to the buccal mucosa and the soft palate, focused around the gingiva at the left maxillary. CT and MRI findings revealed that the tumor was in contact with the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and surrounded the whole circumference of the coronoid process. Consequently, the tumor extended across the zygomatic arch on the upper side, to the pterygomandibular space interiorly, and to the anterior border of the masseter muscle laterally. The lesion was diagnosed to be a peripheral ameloblastoma on biopsy. The tumor was resected by a combination of hemicoronal incision and transbuccal approach.
The surgical technique ensured a good surgical field for the masticatory space centering on the infratemporal fossa and allowed secure removal of the primary tumor. In addition, postoperative aesthetic and functional damage were slight and led to satisfactory results.
