Role of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment and Management of Mandibular Ameloblastoma

Rationale and Objectives: Is to clarify the significance of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in assessment and management of mandibular ameloblastoma and to correlate such data with histopathological and surgical results.Patients and Methods: Ten patients (4 females and 6 males) of age range from 29-49 years presented with mandib-ular swellings were selected from outpatient clinic of Oral Surgery Department Cancer Institute Cairo University between October 2008 and April 2011. The selected cases underwent Preoperative panoramic radiography, MDCT and MRI of the mandible.Results: Panoramic radiography revealed an expansile multilocular radiolucency in eight cases and unilocular radiolucency in two cases. CT showed expansile multilocular lesion in six cases and unilocular lytic lesion in four cases. Soft tissue invasion to masseter muscle was recorded in one case, myelohyoid muscle in four cases and no involvement in the medial pterygoid muscle. MRI showed expansile multiseptated lytic lesion in six cases and unilocular lytic lesion in four cases. MRI revealed involvement of masseter, medial pterygoid and myelohyoid muscles in five cases.Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance Image is considered the best imaging modality, especially post contrast enhancement in assessment of tumor extension of ameloblastoma lesion inside the cancellous bone and surrounding soft tissue, which help in resection with proper safety margin, and reducing post operative recurrence rate.