Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive neoplasm of the odontogenic epithelium, the treatment of which is controversial. A review was made of 22 patients treated for histologically diagnosed ameloblastoma between January 1975 and January 2000. We recorded data relating to patient sex, age, site of involvement, histologic type, surgical treatment, and number of recurrences. All ameloblastomas were located in the mandible. The most common histologic patterns were follicular and plexiform lesions. A total of 22.7% of the tumors were unicystic ameloblastomas. Unicystic lesions were seen to affect younger patients than the rest of the histologic types. Eighteen patients were initially treated in our center, and 4 cases were referred to our center for secondary treatment. The number of recurrences was significantly lower in patients initially treated in our center. Primary treatment comprised enucleation and bone curettage in 10 cases and radical surgery in 7. Forty percent of the unicystic lesions and 53.3% of the non-unicystic ameloblastomas of our study presented at least 1 recurrence. Ameloblastoma is a polymorphic neoplasm for which the treatment is conditioned by a number of clinical and histologic factors. An individualized preoperative study is essential for treatment.

The aim of the present study was to assess the etiology and pattern of maxillofacial fractures in the Province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Central Italy. Was performed a retrospective review of patients treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of Spirito Santo Hospital from January 2010 to December 2012. Data collected and analyzed included sex, age, cause of injury, site of fracture, monthly distribution, and alcohol misuse. A total of 306 patients sustaining 401 maxillofacial fractures were treated. There were 173 males (56.5%) and 133 females (43.5%). Most of the patients (36.9%) were in the age group of 18–44 years. The most common causes of injuries were road traffic accidents (26.4%); the second leading cause was interpersonal violence (23.2%), followed by injuries associated with falls (19.2%). Fractures of the mandible (31%) and zygoma (23%) were the most common maxillofacial fractures in our study. The monthly distribution peaked in the summer (July and August, 30.4%) and in October (13.1%). In conclusion, this study confirms the close correlation between the incidence and etiology of facial fractures and the geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic features of a population. The data obtained provide important information for the design of future plans for injury prevention and for education of citizens.