Fluid aspirates of ameloblastoma: Types, prevalence, and prognostic relevance

Background: Ameloblastoma is a benign cystic odontogenic tumor common in Nigeria. The cystic cavities frequently contain tumor fluids, which may be obtained by needle aspiration. The tumor fluids help in the clinical differential diagnosis. The types, prevalence, and relevance of ameloblastoma fluid aspirates have been mostly unreported. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the types and prevalence of fluid aspirates of ameloblastoma and evaluate its prognostic relevance. Materials and Methods: This was a 7-year retrospective study of consecutive patients with ameloblastoma at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. The tumor fluids obtained by needle aspiration are categorized based on visual appearance. The data retrieved from case files, biopsy forms, histopathologic reports, and other records in the departmental archives were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 24.0. Results: Tumor fluid aspirate yield was positive in 80.4% ((n=74) of patients with ameloblastoma. There were aspirates from 82.4% (n=61) cases of primary ameloblastoma and 17.6% (n=13) cases of recurrent ameloblastoma. The aspirates obtained were dark-brown 41.9%, straw-colored 37.8%, serosanguinous 10.8%, and purulent 9.5%. The type of aspirate was influenced by the primary or recurrent status of ameloblastoma (P = 0.04). Straw-colored aspirate was obtained from 92.9% of primary ameloblastoma and in 73.1% of patients <20 years of age. Recurrent ameloblastoma typically yielded dark-brown aspirates in 76.9% of recurrences. Conclusion: The association of some tumor fluids with primary and recurrent ameloblastoma could improve the understanding of the recurrence potential of the disease and influence treatment planning.