Recurrent ameloblastoma of the anterior skull base: three cases treated by radical resections.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent ameloblastomas rarely present in the anterior skull base but are, common following inadequate excision.


METHODS
Three patients are presented with ameloblastoma in the anterior skull base including frontotemporal fossa and pterygomaxillary fossa recurring following multiple enucleations, segmental mandibulectomy, or partial maxillectomy. The recurrences were found 3-4 years following the primary operations. All 3 patients were treated by radical dissection.


RESULTS
Microscopically one case was a mixed follicular and plexiform, two cases were of a follicular type. All patients healed without serious complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Ameloblastomas in these regions have a greater recurrence potential even when treated by radical dissection.
Chen
Wei-Liang
WL
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of San Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, PR China. drchen@vip.163.com
Li
Jing-Song
JS
Yang
Zhao-Hui
ZH
Wang
Jiag-Gaung
JG
Zhang
Bi
B
D000328:Adult; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D035262:Cranial Fossa, Anterior; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*