Abstract
Adenomatoid odontogenic tumors represent 3 to 7 percent of all odontogenic tumors. These tumors are more common in the maxilla than the mandible and usually include the anterior region. Clinically, the most common symptom is painless swelling and the tumor is associated with an unerupted tooth, typically a maxillary or mandibular cuspid. The adenomatoid odontogenic tumor appears radiographically as a unilocular radiolucency around the crown of an impacted tooth, resembling a dentigerous cyst. More often, it contains fine calcifications. Histopathologically, there is a thick wall cystic structure with a prominent intraluminal proliferation of the odontogenic epithelium. The most striking pattern is varying-sized solid nodules of spindle-shaped or cuboidal epithelial cells forming nests or rosette-like structures with minimal stromal connective tissues. Conspicuous within the cellular areas are structures of tubular or duct-like appearance. The duct-like spaces are lined with a single row of cuboidal or low columnar epithelial cells, of which the ovoid nuclei are polarized away from the luminal surface. Small foci of calcification may also be scattered throughout the tumor. These have been interpreted as abortive enamel formations. In some adenomatoid odontogenic tumors, the material has been interpreted as dentoid or cementum.
