Adenoid ameloblastoma (AA) was recently recognised as a separate tumour type in the most recent World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of head and neck tumours. This decision has been considered controversial by several groups, who have described AA as a subtype of ameloblastoma, a hybrid odontogenic tumour or to fall within the spectrum of other recognised odontogenic tumours, including dentinogenic ghost cell tumour and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour. Here we review the reasons for the WHO decision to classify AA as a separate tumour type. We also critique molecular and histological findings from recent reports published since the WHO classification. While acknowledging that the classification of tumours is constantly evolving, the balance of current evidence suggests that AA should remain a distinct tumour type, and not a subtype of ameloblastoma, pending further molecular characterisation.

Adenoid ameloblastoma is a hybrid odontogenic tumour showing histopathological features of both ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT), with approximately 40 cases reported in the literature. The aims of the report are to illustrate the diagnostic challenges of adenoid ameloblastoma using three new cases and to analyze evidence in literature to consider adenoid ameloblastoma as a new sub type of ameloblastoma. A literature review was performed with the key words-adenoid ameloblastoma, hybrid/composite odontogenic tumours, hybrid ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour, ameloblastoma with inductive changes, dentinoid and dentinoma to select the cases compatible with the diagnosis of adenoid ameloblastoma. Out of the 40 cases reported in literature, 31 cases with sufficient information and 3 new cases were analyzed. Out of the 34 adenoid ameloblastomas majority of tumours (76.5%) occurred in adults with age ranging from 25 to 55 years. Slight female predilection with a male:female ratio of 0.9:1 was observed. Approximately, 64.7% occurred in the mandible. Radiologically, 82.4% of adenoid ameloblastomas presented as radiolucent lesions while 47.1% occurred with ill-defined margins and cortical perforation at diagnosis. Histopathologically, 70.8% of tumours presented as plexiform ameloblastomas, while duct like structures/glandular structures were the commonest feature supportive of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour observed in overwhelming majority of 95.9% of adenoid ameloblastomas. 91.6% of tumours showed inductive change in the form of dentinoid. Further, 45.4% of the tumours developed at least one recurrence following surgical excision. The report presents literature review based evidence to show the existence of adenoid ameloblastoma, which is demographically similar to conventional ameloblastoma but with histopathological differences and presenting with higher rate/multiple recurrences, indicating its biological aggressiveness. Thus, we would like to propose the inclusion of adenoid ameloblastoma as a sub type of ameloblastoma in the next revision of the WHO odontogenic tumour classification.

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) is a benign tumour that arises from odontogenic epithelial remnants. AOTs usually present as innocuous lesions with limited growth potential. Multiple AOTs are frequently reported in the literature, with reports of tumours associated with up to seven impacted teeth. Multiple AOTs have also been described in association with Schimmelpenning syndrome. This case report highlights the rare occurrence of multiple AOTs involving eight impacted teeth in a 9-year-old male patient. Radiographic examination showed features of enamel hypoplasia and multiple prominent dilated gubernaculum dentis associated with some of the impacted teeth. The patient also presented with a linear epidermal nevus involving the left face and intraoral mucosal papillomatous growths, clinical features highly compatible with Schimmelpenning syndrome.

This case report aims to increase awareness of how an adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) can present in a similar fashion to a dentigerous cyst and the importance of accurate histopathological diagnosis. In this case, the AOT resulted in loss of the upper left permanent canine in a patient who already had a congenitally absent upper left second premolar, compromising the original orthodontic treatment plan.

BACKGROUND: Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a benign lesion originating from the dental lamina or its remnants. It is a relatively uncommon neoplasm representing about 3% of all odontogenic tumors. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and radiological characteristics of AOTs in five major tertiary centres in Nigeria.
METHODS: Archival hospital-based data stores of five tertiary health facilities in Nigeria were accessed. Case files and biopsy records were retrieved to obtain relevant information. Data was collected according to a proforma for standardization and entered into and analysed using SPSS for Windows (version 20.0; SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL).
RESULTS: 61 (4.5%) cases of AOT were documented. The age range was 8-46 years with a mean age of 20.4±9.9 years. Male: Female ratio was 1:1.3. The anterior maxilla had 34 (55.8%) cases and the anterior mandible had 20 (32.8%) cases. 40 (65.6%) follicular cases, 20 (32.8%) extra-follicular cases and 1(1.6%) extra-osseous case were found. 31 cases (61.1%) were associated with impacted teeth and the upper canine was involved in 19 (57.6%) cases.
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed AOT to be more common in the maxilla, more in females, most often associated with impacted canines, however, the suggestion of AOT being a \"Two third tumour\" was not observed in this study.

The aim of this update was to present the recent notable progress within remaining questions relating to the adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT). Selected issues that were studied included the following: (i) AOT history and terminology, (ii) the so-called peripheral AOT, (iii) AOT and the gubernaculum dentis and (iv) the so-called adenomatoid odontogenic cyst (AOC). The earliest irrefutable European case of AOT was described in 1915 by Harbitz as \'cystic adamantoma\'. Recently, Ide et al. have traced two Japanese cases with irrefutable proof described by Nakayama in 1903. The so-called peripheral (gingival) variant of AOT seems to cover a dual pathogenesis, both an \'erupted intraosseous\' and an \'extraosseous\' (gingival) one. In 1992, we theorized that the generally unnoticed gubernaculum dentis (cord and canal) seems to be involved in the development of AOT. Ide et al. have concluded that the dental lamina in the gubernacular cord seems to be an embryonic source of the vast majority of AOTs. The suggestion by Marx and Stern to change the nomenclature of AOT to adenomatoid odontogenic cyst (AOC) is critically discussed. The present authors agree on the background of the work of several groups of researchers and WHO/IARC classifications that the biology of the follicular variant of AOT is already fully explained and does not make room for any change in diagnostic terms. Further, there is no reason to change terminology in this case where improvements or conditions to better clinical management are not an issue.

The persistent view in the literature is that the relative frequency of ameloblastomas is higher in the black population than in Caucasians. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of all odontogenic tumours (OT) in a 100% black population and to compare our findings with those of previous studies. A prospective study was undertaken of all patients presenting with OT to all 16 Nigerian departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery over a 4-year period. The following data were obtained: patient demographics, delay to presentation, extent of the lesion, and histological diagnosis. Six hundred and twenty-two cases were studied. A slight male preponderance was observed (male to female ratio 1.17:1). Patients ranged in age from 5 to 89 years, with a peak incidence in the third decade. The relative frequency of OT was 0.99 per million and that of ameloblastoma was 0.76 per million. Ameloblastoma was the most prevalent OT (76.5%), followed by adenomatoid odontogenic tumours (5.6%), odontogenic myxoma (4.5%), and keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) (3.1%). The relative frequency of ameloblastoma among Nigerians was not different from frequencies reported previously among Caucasian and Tanzanian black populations. KCOTs were, however, rarely diagnosed in Nigerians as compared to the white population in the Western world.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate characteristic features of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) on CBCT.
METHODS: The archived CBCT and panoramic radiographs of eight patients histopathologically diagnosed as AOT were analysed. The radiographic features displayed on both radiographic images were carefully described and compared.
RESULTS: All eight AOT cases presented as unilocular and well-demarcated lesions on both CBCT and panoramic images. CBCT images displayed three-dimensional interpretation of AOT lesions, especially the detailed intralesional radiopacities. Numerous discrete radiopaque foci scattered in the lesion with evident contrast to the radiolucent background could be considered as one of the characteristic features of AOT on CBCT.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with panoramic radiography, CBCT seems to possess better potential in diagnosing AOT.