keratoameloblastoma: report of a rare variant with review of literature

ameloblastoma has intrigued clinicians as well as pathologists due to its diverse clinical behavior and histomorphologic presentations. keratoameloblastoma is a rare histologic sub type, characterized by extensive keratin formation within ameloblastic epithelium, with only a handful number of cases described in the literature. here, we report a case of this uncommon sub type of ameloblastoma in a young female patient presenting as an extensive lesion in mandibular ramus area. the radiological and fi ne needle aspiration fi ndings suggested of a keratinizing cystic lesion and incisional biopsy showed features of ameloblastoma. patient underwent segmental mandibulectomy and histological examination of excisional specimen revealed features of ameloblastoma with abundant keratinization leading to a diagnosis of keratoameloblastoma. the diagnostic pitfalls related with the lesion have been discussed along with a short review of the literature. key words: ameloblastoma, fi ne needle aspiration, keratoameloblastoma, odontogenic keratocyst, papilliferous keratoameloblastoma