Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma in an adolescent: A case report and review of literature

Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) is a rare benign odontogenic tumor with the histologic features of ameloblastic fibroma (AF) but also contains enamel and dentin. It is most commonly observed in the pediatric population. Distinction between AFO and AF becomes important as ameloblastic fibromas are associated with higher recurrence rates of up to 18%, and 35% of these recurrent lesions can undergo malignant transformation to ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. Hence, for amelobastic fibroma, conservative curettage is recommended for the initial lesion and marginal resection is considered for recurrent cases. In contrast, AFO can be treated with simple curettage and the recurrence rate is approximately seven percent. Malignant transformation of AFO is exceedingly rare. Therefore, the treatment and prognosis differs for these two histologically similar neoplasms. We present a case of a 17-year-old boy who was initially diagnosed with ameloblastic fibroma upon biopsy, with subsequent curettage specimen showing AFO, which carries a better prognosis.