Total mandibular reconstruction after resection of rare “honeycomb-like” ameloblastic carcinoma – A case report

Jeremic, Jelena V.; Nikolic, Zivorad S.; Boricic, Ivan V.; Tacevic, Zoran D.; Tomanovic, Nada R.; Drcic, Lazar J.; Novkovic, Milijanka D.

doi:10.1016/j.jcms.2009.10.020

« Previous Next »Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery
Volume 38, Issue 6 , Pages 465-468, September 2010

Total mandibular reconstruction after resection of rare “honeycomb-like” ameloblastic carcinoma – A case report

Jelena V. Jeremic, MD
- Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Chief: Prof. Miodrag Colic), Clinical Centre of Serbia, Zvecanska 9, Belgrade, Serbia
Zivorad S. Nikolic, MD, DDS, PhD
- Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery (Chief: Prof. Miodrag Gavric), Faculty of Stomatology, Dr Subotica 4, Belgrade, Serbia
- Nikolic S. ZIVORAD, MD, DDS, PhD, Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Stomatology, Dr. Subotica 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Ivan V. Boricic, MD, PhD
- Institute for Pathology (Chief: Prof. Gordana Basta), Faculty of Medicine, Dr Subotica 1, Belgrade, Serbia
Zoran D. Tacevic, MD, PhD
- Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Chief: Prof. Miodrag Colic), Clinical Centre of Serbia, Zvecanska 9, Belgrade, Serbia
Nada R. Tomanovic, MD
- Institute for Pathology (Chief: Prof. Gordana Basta), Faculty of Medicine, Dr Subotica 1, Belgrade, Serbia
Lazar J. Drcic, DDS
- Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery (Chief: Prof. Miodrag Gavric), Faculty of Stomatology, Dr Subotica 4, Belgrade, Serbia
Milijanka D. Novkovic, MD
- Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Chief: Prof. Miodrag Colic), Clinical Centre of Serbia, Zvecanska 9, Belgrade, Serbia

Received 9 May 2009; accepted 21 October 2009. published online 30 November 2009.

Summary

Purpose

This case report describes a rare and aggressive ameloblastic carcinoma that infiltrated the mandible in a “honeycomb” pattern.

Methods

A total mandibulectomy with bilateral modified neck dissection was followed by primary reconstruction with a single free vascularised fibula flap.

Results

The postoperative course was uneventful. The one year follow-up revealed no signs of recurrent tumour or metastases. Nine months later distant metastases occurred in the lung.

Conclusion

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a highly malignant lesion, which requires aggressive therapy. Prognosis is poor. Further reporting of ameloblastic carcinoma is encouraged.

Keywords: ameloblastic carcinoma, mandible, reconstruction, free fibula