Primary diagnosis of ameloblastoma by fine-needle aspiration: a report of two cases.

Ameloblastoma is the most common epithelial odontogenic tumor, comprising 1% of tumors and cysts arising in the jaws. We describe two cases of ameloblastoma of the jaw diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. The patients presented with swelling in the parotid region. Cytological examination of the particulate and sticky bloodstained fluid obtained on aspiration showed tightly packed groups of basaloid cells arranged in nests with rounded edges. Palisading epithelial cells and squamous cells with spherical keratinized bodies were the distinctive cytological features. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of ameloblastoma. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.