Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

Orbital invasion by recurrent maxillary ameloblastoma.

Leibovitch I, Schwarcz RM, Modjtahedi S, Selva D, Goldberg RA

Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-7006, USA. leiboiga15@yahoo.com.au

PURPOSE: To describe 2 patients with orbital invasion by maxillary ameloblastoma, a rare odontogenic tumor that is not commonly encountered in ophthalmic practice. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case report. METHODS: Two patients who were diagnosed with maxillary ameloblastoma several years ago sought treatment for new-onset ocular and orbital signs and symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and radiological findings and outcome. RESULTS: In the first patient, tumor recurrence with orbital invasion was diagnosed, and the patient underwent a total orbital exenteration. No recurrence was noted after 18 months of follow-up. The second patient had intracranial involvement with orbital invasion and underwent an extensive resection through an intracranial approach. No recurrence was noted after a 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Although a slow-growing tumor, maxillary ameloblastoma can recur after surgical excision and can be locally aggressive; it can invade the orbit and result in significant ocular morbidity. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this tumor and should monitor these patients closely when orbital invasion is suspected.

Published 3 July 2006 in Ophthalmology, 113(7): 1227-30.
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