Satu Apajalahti1, Jetta Kelppe2, Risto Kontio3, Jaana Hagström4. 1. HUS Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: Satu.apajalahti@hus.fi. 2. Department of Oral Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 4. Department of Pathology/Haartman Institute and HUSLab, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the imaging characteristics of ameloblastomas and to analyze the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with conventional dentoalveolar imaging. STUDY DESIGN: In this observational retrospective study, the panoramic radiographs (n = 25) and the CT (n = 26) and MRI (n = 5) images of histopathologically verified ameloblastomas in 26 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Characteristic findings were multilocularity, marked expansion of the cortical plate, perforation at an earlier stage, and extensive root resorption. On contrast-enhanced CT or MRI, the majority (14 of 17) of the nonunicystic ameloblastomas contained a mixed cystic and solid pattern. Unicystic ameloblastomas (n = 6) and ameloblastomas derived from the cyst epithelium (n = 2) showed thick rim enhancement or a mural solid component in an otherwise cystic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI greatly aid in distinguishing between ameloblastomas and other cystlike lesions because they allow for visualization of the mixed cystic and solid content characteristic of nonunicystic ameloblastomas. The differential diagnostic value of CT and MRI is significant with regard to unicystic ameloblastomas.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the imaging characteristics of ameloblastomas and to analyze the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with conventional dentoalveolar imaging. STUDY DESIGN: In this observational retrospective study, the panoramic radiographs (n = 25) and the CT (n = 26) and MRI (n = 5) images of histopathologically verified ameloblastomas in 26 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Characteristic findings were multilocularity, marked expansion of the cortical plate, perforation at an earlier stage, and extensive root resorption. On contrast-enhanced CT or MRI, the majority (14 of 17) of the nonunicystic ameloblastomas contained a mixed cystic and solid pattern. Unicystic ameloblastomas (n = 6) and ameloblastomas derived from the cyst epithelium (n = 2) showed thick rim enhancement or a mural solid component in an otherwise cystic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI greatly aid in distinguishing between ameloblastomas and other cystlike lesions because they allow for visualization of the mixed cystic and solid content characteristic of nonunicystic ameloblastomas. The differential diagnostic value of CT and MRI is significant with regard to unicystic ameloblastomas.
Authors: Ivana D Petrovic; Jocelyn Migliacci; Ian Ganly; Snehal Patel; Bin Xu; Ronald Ghossein; Joseph Huryn; Jatin Shah Journal: Ear Nose Throat J Date: 2018-07 Impact factor: 1.697