Conservative management is effective in unicystic ameloblastoma occurring from the neonatal period: about a case report and a literature review.

Abstract Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is a benign odontogenic tumor of the jaw, which represents less than a third of all ameloblastomas and seems less aggressive than other types of ameloblastoma. We present herein the first case of UA developed prenatally, successfully managed in the early neonatal period by marsupialization and curettage performed carefully to avoid injury of the teeth germs. BRAF and SMO mutations were not detected. After 2 years of follow-up, complete reossification with normal decidual teeth eruption were noticed, without any recurrence. We recommend conservative treatment in UA in pediatric population, in order to avoid teeth germ loss and/or injury, provided that close follow-up is carried out all along the growth, to permit early detection of potential recurrences, growth impairments or teeth eruption disorders. The intratumoral somatic mutational status of BRAF, SMO, RAS family and FGFR2 may be determinant to decide personalized targeted treatment, particularly in case of recurrence.