DIAGNOSIS OF AMELOBLASTOMA OF THE MAXILLA BY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION -A CASE-REPORT

Ameloblastoma is a tumor of odontogenic epithelium that occurs in the jaws. We describe a case of an ameloblastoma of the maxilla that was d iagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology. The patient presented wit h a mass in the left maxillary sinus. Cytologic examination of the asp irate material showed numerous sheets of tightly packed basaloid cells . Several sheets of cells; were surrounded by a row of columnar cells, with the nuclei oriented away from the basement membrane (peripheral palisading). Histologic examination of the resection specimen confirme d the presence of an ameloblastoma of the maxilla.