Ameloblastoma of the mandible in a male dogA Case Report

Ameloblastomas are odontogenic tumors known for their aggressive nature. Because of the odontogenic origin, they are seen affecting the mandible and maxilla. Like humans, animals like dogs, horses may also develop these lesions. In this report, ameloblastoma of the mandible in a male dog is described, The lesion clinically appeared like an exophytic growth on the gingiva near mandibular left canine tooth, radiograph showed a large multilocular radioleucency with destruction of the lower mandible. The lesion recurred after 2 years following the conservative removal. This case report is interesting because similar to humans, the dogs too suffer from the odontogenic lesions. The radiographic, histologic features and the behaviour pattern were similar to humans' where as the treatment rendered was only conservative keeping the limited life span of the dog.


Introduction
and it was finding difficulty in eating, it was decided to excise the mass.The excised specimen histologically Ameloblastomas (Adamantinomas) are tumours consisted of mass of odontogenic tissues.There were arising from the tooth forming structures.These follicles, strands made up of ameloblast like cells in tumors, though benign, may be locally destructive.the periphery and loosely arranged stellate shaped Since the tumors develop from odontogenic tissues, cells in the centre.( Fig. 3) .The tumour mass had fused they arise from the alveolar border of maxilla or with the surface epithelium.The case was diagnosed mandible, though clinically appear to arise from the as Plexiform Ameloblastoma with follicular areas.gums [1].
Historically, this lesion has been known for Discussion many years, with reports dating back to the nineteenth Robinson defined Ameloblastoma as a benign century [2].Ameloblastomas are frequent in animals.
tumour that is "usually unicentric, nonfunctional, Though cattle are more commonly affected, the intermittent in growth, anatomically benign and tumour has been seen in dogs, horses, mules and cats clinically persistent" [4].This odontogenic tumour that [1].There are few case reports on the ameloblastomas frequently occurs intraosseously perforates the occurring in dogs [3].
alveolar ridge and fuses with the oral cavity.This

Case Description
tumour since locally aggressive and grows rapidly, A 10 year old male dog was brought to the needs a radical approach.Also, the recurrence rate is high after conservative treatment.In the present case, veterinary clinic at Mangalore, with the complaint of the first surgical treatment of local excision with a growth on the gingiva protruding out in the anterior cauterization resulted in temporary relief.region of the mouth.On examination an exophytic Though the tumour has recurred after 2 years, it growth measuring 2X3 cms.was seen extending from slowly enlarged and became symptomatic, after 6 the gums adjacent to left canine tooth ( Fig. 1).
months.Since the radical approach involves resection Consistency of the mass was firm and it of a part of the mandible, it was decided to treat appeared firmly attached to the gingival tissues.
conservatively once again, as the dog was old and Radiograph of the mandible showed a large radical approach might result in functional impair-destructive radiolucent lesion, displacing the root, also ment in the absence of prosthesis.The conservative causing thinning of the cortical plate and discontinuity treatment was surgical excision of clinically visible of the lower border of the mandible in that region lesion with cauterization.(Fig. 2).Since the dog was unable to close the mouth Conclusion of such lesions help in understanding the biological behavior and can act as study models.
To conclude.This presentation is about a case of Ameloblastoma of the mandible in a dog, where the References tumour has perforated into the oral cavity leading to a 1.

Figure- 1 .
Figure-1.Clinical photograph showing the gingival growth on the left anterior gingiva of the dog.