Ameloblastoma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor with locally aggressive behavior, typically affecting adults. Pediatric cases, especially giant mandibular ameloblastoma with mixed follicular and plexiform histological type in very young children, are uncommon and pose unique diagnostic and management challenges. Our PubMed search did not yield any previously reported case from Nigeria. A 3-year-old female child presented with an 18-month history of progressive right mandibular swelling causing noticeable facial asymmetry. Clinical examination revealed a large, non-tender intraoral tumor with ulceration and tooth mobility. Radiographic imaging showed a heterogeneous, expansive mandibular lesion containing an unerupted tooth, consistent with an odontogenic cystic lesion. The tumor was radically excised through combined intraoral and extraoral approaches, including hemi-mandibulectomy and temporomandibular joint disarticulation. Histology revealed a conventional ameloblastoma with mixed follicular and plexiform pattern. The patient has remained clinically stable on follow-up. This case highlights the importance of early presentation, recognizing histopathological diversity in ameloblastoma, and underscores the need for aggressive surgical management with adequate margins in pediatric cases to prevent recurrence.
Adeyemi et al. (2026) studied this question.