Ameloblastomas are locally aggressive, benign odontogenic neoplasms having a wide variety of histologic patterns. It is essential to distinguish between the three clinical types of ameloblastomas - the intra-osseous solid lesion, the unicystic type and the extra-osseous lesion, as they differ in their biological behaviour and rate of recurrence and therefore require different forms of treatment. The case presented here is of a 9-year-old boy who reported to the department with pain and swelling along the right side of the mandible of 3 months'duration. Previous histopathological examination of the lesion, performed at a local hospital, produced a picture consistent with unicystic ameloblastoma. The lesion was managed by enucleation and the patient has been followed up for the past 5 years. Radiographic and clinical examinations reveal signs of healing without recurrence.
Clinical relevance: Conservative management of unicystic ameloblastomas may be justified in children provided that the patient can be followed up at regular intervals.