Unicystic ameloblastoma: A critical appraisal

Abstract

Robinson and Martinez first introduced the entity of unicystic ameloblastoma in 1977. Since then numerous case reports and series have been published. The evidence suggests that a more conservative approach can be used successfully to treat the unicystic ameloblastoma. The term unicystic is derived from the macro- and microscopic appearance of the lesion, whereas the term unilocular is used in radiological interpretation to describe a radiolucency having one loculus or compartment. Much confusion stems from the fact that a unicystic ameloblastoma might appear not only as a unilocular lesion, but also as what is often interpreted as a multilocular bone defect.