SUBMITTED 28 DEC 22 1 

REVISION REQ. 31 JAN 23; REVISION RECD. 15 MAR 23 2 

ACCEPTED 11 APR 23 3 

ONLINE-FIRST: MAY 2023 4 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.5.2023.021 5 

 6 

Papilliferous Keratoameloblastoma 7 

A systematic review 8 

*Sanpreet S. Sachdev, Tabita J. Chettiankandy, Yogita B. Adhane, Manisha 9 

A. Sardar, Akshay Trimukhe, Riya Jain 10 

 11 

Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Government Dental College and Hospital, 12 

Mumbai, India 13 

*Corresponding Author’s e-mail: sunpreetss@yahoo.in 14 

 15 

Abstract 16 

Papilliferous Keratoameloblastoma (PKA) is a rare entity and not much is known about its 17 

clinicodemographic features or biological nature. Our review aimed to provide clarity with respect 18 

to the characterization of demographic, clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of 19 

PKA. Case reports of PKA were identified by means of a systematic search across multiple 20 

databases. The search yielded a total of 10 cases, half of which were of Indian origin. All the cases 21 

invariably occurred in the mandibular posterior region and involved the right side, except for one 22 

case which primarily involved the left side of the mandible. PKA should be considered as a variant 23 

of conventional ameloblastoma but towards the more aggressive end of the spectrum. It tends to 24 

occur in older individuals (fifth decade or older), with a marked propensity to occur in the right 25 

mandibular posterior region. Surgical resection with diligent follow-up is warranted in the 26 

treatment of PKA. 27 

Keywords: Odontogenic tumors; Ameloblastoma; Keratin; Odontogenic keratocyst 28 

 29 

 30 



 

 

Introduction 31 

An array of metaplastic changes can occur in the epithelial component of ameloblastoma (AM) 32 

that are attributable to the potentiality of odontogenic epithelium. The epithelial cells within 33 

ameloblastic follicles or plexuses may exhibit squamous, basaloid cell, granular cell, clear cell or 34 

even mucous metaplasia. These metaplastic changes give rise to a polymorphic histopathological 35 

picture in AM. Consequently, numerous corresponding variants of AM such as acanthomatous, 36 

basaloid, granular, clear cell have been recognized [1]. 37 

 38 

Squamous metaplasia in the central stellate reticulum-like cells of AM is the hallmark of 39 

acanthomatous ameloblastoma (AA). The terminal fate of squamous cells is to form keratin and 40 

desquamate. As a result, extensive keratinization to the extent of keratin pearl formation may occur 41 

in AM. Four types of histopathological pictures have been reported in line with the spectrum of 42 

keratinizing AMs. These include- 1) Simple histology: Ameloblastomatous follicles filled with 43 

ortho- or para- keratin centrally, 2) Simple histology along with features of conventional 44 

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), 3) Complex histology: extrusion of keratin masses into the stroma 45 

along with features of simple histology with or without hard tissue formation, 4) Papilliferous 46 

histology: Papillary projections of the odontogenic epithelium into the cystic lumen or microcystic 47 

spaces [2]. 48 

 49 

The World Health Organization in 1992, recognized such AM with extensive keratinization as 50 

keratoameloblastoma (KA). While some authors consider KA as a subset of AA, others have 51 

reported it as a distinct variant of AM [2,3]. The centrally desquamated cells lead to the formation 52 

of microcystic areas within the ameloblastomatous follicles. The presence of papillary ingrowths 53 

of odontogenic epithelium within these microcysts or in the primary cystic lumen is an even rarer 54 

phenomenon. The first such case was described by Pindborg and Weinmann as a subset of AM 55 

and the term ‘papilliferous keratoameloblastoma’ (PKA) was suggested [4].  While an ample 56 

number of cases of KA displaying either simple or complex histology have been identified, the 57 

PKA variant is exceedingly rare [3,5]. As a result, not much is known about the clinicodemographic 58 

characterization and biological nature of PKA.  59 

 60 



 

 

The question whether PKA differs from other variants of AM in its biological behavior or it 61 

belongs to spectrum of AA without any clinical significance is not yet answered. The present 62 

systematic review aims to gain a better understanding of the rare entity by identifying and 63 

analyzing all the reported cases of PKA in scientific literature. The objectives of our review are to 64 

describe the demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics of PKA.  65 

 66 

Methods 67 

Case reports of PKA were retrieved by a systematic search of the databases: Medline (Ovid), 68 

PubMed, PubMed Central, Web of Science Citation Index Expanded, (SCIEXPANDED), and 69 

Google Scholar. A systematic search with keywords ((ameloblastoma) AND (papillae)) OR 70 

(papilliferous ameloblastoma). An additional search with keywords- ((ameloblastoma) AND 71 

(keratin)) OR (keratoameloblastoma) OR (keratinizing ameloblastoma), was performed and 72 

screened for potential presence of papilliferous areas in the microscopic picture. The cross 73 

references cited in the retrieved literature were also screened for identification of possible cases of 74 

PKA, in case if any were missed by the search strategy.  75 

 76 

Full text articles of all the cases belonging to the spectrum of keratinizing AMs were scrutinized 77 

for histopathological features of PKA. The quality of case reports was evaluated by means of JBI 78 

critical appraisal tool for case reports [6]. To further minimize bias in quality assessment, the 79 

authors were divided into two groups (SS and TC; MS and YA) which independently evaluated 80 

the case reports for their inclusion in the present review (Figure 1). 81 

 82 

The criterion for inclusion of the cases was the histopathological presence of papilliferous 83 

proliferations of odontogenic epithelium into the primary cystic lumen or microcysts formed 84 

within the ameloblastoma follicles along with the formation of keratin (Figure 2). For a better 85 

understanding of the histopathological features, photomicrographs (Figure 3) were obtained from 86 

the case reported by Bedi et al.[2]  Cases with an ambiguous description or unclear histopathological 87 

demonstration of a papilliferous component or keratin formation were excluded from the review. 88 

The presence or absence of additional histopathological features besides papilliferous patterns such 89 

as budding of cells, dentinoid formation, calcifications, ghost cells or OKC-like features, were also 90 



 

 

recorded. However, these additional features were not considered definitive criteria for diagnosis 91 

of PKA as they represent variations that can occur in the odontogenic neoplasm.  92 

Data extraction: 93 

The demographic, clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of all the cases was 94 

extracted. Additional investigations such as special stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) or gene 95 

expression was also elicited. The treatment performed in all the cases, number of recurrences, 96 

period between the recurrences and time with no evidence of disease after treatment was recorded. 97 

The quality of articles included in the review was also assessed using the GRADE approach [7]. 98 

The extracted data was entered and tabulated in into worksheets (Microsoft Office Excel 2016, 99 

Redmond, Washington, USA). 100 

 101 

The review title and search protocol are registered in the International prospective register of 102 

systematic reviews - PROSPERO under the registration number: CRD42021282930. 103 

 104 

Results and Discussion 105 

A total of 10 reported cases of PKA were found in scientific literature available in English [2-5,8-13]. 106 

Half of the patients (n=5, 50%) in these reported cases were of Indian origin [2,5,11-13]. The 107 

clinicodemographic data extracted from all the cases of PKA are tabulated in Table 1. The age of 108 

patients ranged from 18 to 76 years with a mean age of 49.7 years (S.D = +20.95). Bedi et al., in 109 

their review, reported a slightly lower mean age of 40 years for KA exhibiting papilliferous 110 

features [2]. Conventional AM shows a peak of occurrence in the third and fourth decades [1,14]. 111 

However, the cases of PKA were evenly distributed amongst all the decades with majority of cases 112 

occurring in fifth decade or later (n=7, 70%). Only three cases occurred in patients of age less than 113 

30 years, while no case of PKA occurring in the fourth decade has yet been reported. These 114 

findings indicate that PKA may occur at any age, but commonly occurs in patients of older age 115 

groups. 116 

 117 

There was a slight male predilection observed with 60% of the cases occurring in males (n=6) and 118 

40% in females (n=4). The male-to-female ratio was found to be 1.5: 1. Data from a recent 119 

systematic review of the global profile of AM has suggested that conventional AM also exhibits a 120 

slight male predilection in Africa, North America and Asia [15]. A higher male predilection with 121 



 

 

two-thirds of cases occurring in males was reported by Konda et al., and a ratio as high as 3:1 was 122 

found by Bedi et al. in their respective reviews of PKA [2,12]. On the contrary, an equal sex 123 

distribution (1:1) in reported cases of PKA was reported by Rathore et al [13]. However, the 124 

omission of certain cases or reports of additional cases after the reviews conducted by these authors 125 

has led to a variation in the sex distribution of PKA. 126 

 127 

All the patients (n=9, unknown for one case) complained of swelling of duration ranging from 3 128 

months to 5 years. The swelling was asymptomatic in most of the cases (n=6, 60%), which is a 129 

common mode of presentation of AM. Pain was present in 3 cases, while mobility of teeth was 130 

present in one case. Pain is an uncommon feature in AM, and is usually noted in lesions of larger 131 

size that tend to impinge on adjacent or involved nerves or due to secondary infection [16]. 132 

Infiltration of the lesions within the bony trabeculae and subsequent resorption could account for 133 

the occasional mobility of teeth noted in conventional AM or its variants such as PKA. Difficulty 134 

in mandibular movement was present in the case reported by Collini et al., which was attributable 135 

to the involvement of condylar process by the lesion [10]. 136 

 137 

All the cases invariably involved the posterior region of the mandibular jaw (n=10, 100%) and 138 

none of the reported cases of PKA to date has occurred primarily in the maxilla or in the anterior 139 

region of the mandible. This propensity of PKA to occur in the mandible is similar to that displayed 140 

by conventional AM, wherein 90% of cases involve the mandibular jaw [17]. The lesion exhibited 141 

a marked predilection to occur on the right side (n=9, 90%), while only one case primarily 142 

involving the left side of the mandible was noted. This finding was in contrast to conventional 143 

AM, which involves both sides almost equally [1]. In one case, the lesion was extensive enough to 144 

involve the entire right side of the mandible, cross the midline and involve the anterior region of 145 

the left side. 146 

 147 

The lesion was described radiologically as a radiolucency (n=9, 90%), which was unilocular in 2 148 

cases and multilocular in 7 cases. The radiolucency was well-defined in 5 cases and ill-defined in 149 

3 cases. In one case, it was described as an osteolytic lesion with irregular calcifications [10]. The 150 

radiological features demonstrated by PKA are not pathognomonic and are shared by several other 151 

entities [18]. Therefore, odontogenic keratocyst, various benign and malignant odontogenic tumors, 152 



 

 

benign fibrosseous lesions and central giant cell granuloma constitute the clinicoradiological 153 

differential diagnosis of PKA. The extensively destructive nature of PKA was evident in 154 

radiographs of all the cases wherein the majority of the cases involved the body, angle and ramus 155 

of the mandible (n=7, 50%). Out of these, 2 cases exhibited extended involvement up to the 156 

sigmoid notch and condylar process. 157 

 158 

Additionally, all the cases that reported findings of computed tomography, found that the buccal 159 

and lingual cortical plates exhibited expansion as well as perforation. AM displays a tendency to 160 

cause extensive bone destruction and aggressively invade local structures. Increased motility of 161 

neoplastic cells due to loss of Syndecan-1 coupled with increased expression of matrix 162 

metalloproteinases (MMPs) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) has 163 

been suggested as the possible reasons for the aggressive biological nature of AM [19,20]. However, 164 

none of the authors has investigated the expression of these markers or genes involved in the 165 

reported cases of PKA. Expression of similar markers needs to be studied in cases of PKA, to 166 

further elucidate the reasons for its aggressive nature. 167 

 168 

Histopathologically, all the lesions exhibited an AM component with keratinization and 169 

papilliferous areas. The histopathological features of PKA described by various authors in their 170 

respective cases are tabulated in Table 2. When considering the AM component, the follicular 171 

pattern of ameloblastoma was observed most commonly (n=5). The plexiform pattern of AM was 172 

predominant in the case reported by Konda et al., which also exhibited areas of desmoplastic 173 

changes within the stroma. Two cases exhibited an admixture of the follicular and plexiform 174 

pattern [12]. In one case, the papilliferous proliferations were present in the primary lumen of a 175 

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UAM) [13]. In the case reported by Collini et al., the architecture of 176 

tumor cells was described as nests, tubules, islands and even single-file pattern, which simulated 177 

the appearance of a salivary gland neoplasm [10].  178 

 179 

Ameloblast-like cells were present in the majority of lesions wherein low to tall columnar 180 

ameloblast-like cells exhibiting nuclear hyperchromatism and reversal of polarity were present in 181 

almost all the cases (n=8, 80%). These cells were present peripherally in the tumor follicles or 182 

plexuses. Of these 7 cases exhibited stellate reticulum-like cells, while one case had granular cells 183 



 

 

towards the centre. Besides ameloblastomatous follicles, some of the follicles were lined by only 184 

squamous cells with or without keratin formation. 185 

One case of AM exhibiting papilliferous proliferations reported by Adeyemi et al. had basaloid 186 

metaplasia within the centre of the follicles [21]. We believe that their case represents a basaloid 187 

variant of AM exhibiting papilliferous changes or possibly a hybrid odontogenic tumor. However, 188 

since there was no keratin formation within the tumor islands, it did not fulfil the criteria for 189 

diagnosis of PKA. The earliest cases of PKA reported by Pindborg and Altini et al. did not exhibit 190 

ameloblast-like cells lining the follicles [4,8]. Instead, single to multiple layers of parakeratotic 191 

squamous epithelial cells were observed, half of which formed tumor islands while the other 192 

demonstrated papilliferous epithelium within a central cystic lumen. Similar parakeratotic 193 

stratified squamous cells were noted in the tumor islands of cases reported by Kuberappa et al. and 194 

Rathore et al., but with the presence of AM-like features in some follicles [5,13]. 195 

 196 

The majority of the cases exhibited cystic degeneration centrally within the ameloblastic follicles 197 

or plexuses (n=8, 80%) in which necrotic cell debris were present. It has been suggested that these 198 

acantholytic cells separate from the viable epithelial cells in the follicle which continue 199 

proliferating. This differential rate of proliferation and necrosis gives rise to pseudopapillary 200 

structures projecting into the microcystic lumen [8]. Such phenomena are noted occasionally in 201 

AM, but are common in odontogenic carcinomas. This suggests a closer histopathological 202 

resemblance of PKA to the more aggressive end of the spectrum of odontogenic neoplasms.  203 

 204 

It has also been postulated that PKA is KA in which extensive acantholysis results in 205 

pseudopapillary projections [22]. However, true papillae consisting of ameloblastoma-like 206 

epithelium with fibrovascular core were also present proliferating in the primary cystic lumen or 207 

those formed within the follicles. The center of tumor follicles, islands, plexuses and nests were 208 

packed with stacks of para- or ortho- keratin. In three cases, the stacks of keratin were extruded 209 

into the connective tissue stroma and illustrated a Pacinian corpuscle-like architecture [3,9,12].  210 

 211 

Classically, AM has been defined as an odontogenic neoplasm of ameloblast-like cells in which 212 

the cells do not undergo differentiation to the point of hard tissue formation [1]. Even so, formation 213 

of hard tissues is a frequent finding in KA and was also noted in three cases of PKA. It has been 214 



 

 

suggested that the extruded stacks of keratin undergo mineralization, ultimately leading to hard 215 

tissue formation. Necrotic tissues may undergo a transition to bone with or without dystrophic 216 

calcification; a process termed ‘pathologic ossification’. Takeda et al. described the hard tissue 217 

formation as a result of pathological ossification producing cellular cementum or woven bone-like 218 

material [9]. The transition between the keratin accumulated in the stroma and the forming hard 219 

tissue was also evident microscopically in their case. Dystrophic calcifications in the stroma were 220 

demonstrated in the case reported by Norval et al [3]. 221 

 222 

Another entity associated with AM that comprises hard tissue formation is adenoid ameloblastoma 223 

with dentinoid. This dentinoid-producing tumor exhibits characteristic histopathological features 224 

of AM and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT), but is not yet recognized as an official entity 225 

by the WHO. Our recent review of literature found about 30 cases of AAD reported to date [23]. 226 

Similarly, it would be possible for dentinoid formation to occur in PKA which was also described 227 

in one case by Bedi et al. Even so, the mechanism of dentinoid formation would be different for 228 

AAD (epithelial-mesenchymal induction) and PKA (pathologic ossification), considering the 229 

different pathogenesis of both entities. The term ‘Kerato-odontoameloblastoma’ was suggested for 230 

such KA with odontogenic hard tissue formation [2]. 231 

 232 

While OKC-like features are commonly noted in KA, they were absent in all the cases of PKA [24]. 233 

It has been suggested that OKC may occasionally serve as a source of epithelium for KA to develop 234 

since it shares a common phenotype and genetic profile, to some extent, with the cells of 235 

ameloblastic lineage [25]. Development of mural islands of AM from the lining epithelium of OKC 236 

was demonstrated by Brannon et al. Cases exhibiting combined histopathological features have 237 

been reported as ‘hybrid’ lesions by some authors while others have considered them within the 238 

spectrum of KA [24,26]. There is yet lack of evidence linking OKC with PKA. 239 

 240 

Additional histopathological features such as foreign body giant cells, cholesterol clefts, ghost 241 

cells, duct-like structures and rosette-like structures were also described across the reported cases 242 

of PKA by various authors [2,5,10]. The presence of foreign body giant cells and cholesterol clefts is 243 

not surprising, and they represent the normal host tissue inflammatory response or constitute a part 244 

of the secondary infection of the tumor. The presence of abundant keratin bodies with faint nuclear 245 



 

 

outlines was implicated as the reason for the resemblance to ghost cells [5]. The follicles with cystic 246 

degeneration are occasionally lined by a single layer of epithelium adherent to the basement 247 

membrane that imparted a hobnail appearance [8]. A cross-section of such follicles was suggested 248 

to be the reason for the apparent duct-like structures [8,21]. The presence of acantholytic cells within 249 

such follicles would also impart a rosette-like appearance, leading to misinterpretation of the lesion 250 

as AOT. A highly vascularized stroma was present in the case reported by Kuberappa et al. that 251 

resembled hemangiomatous AM [8]. Trauma or stimulation of vessels closely associated with the 252 

dental follicle has been suggested as the reason for the highly vascular transition of the stroma in 253 

AM [27]. 254 

 255 

While the tumor cells in most of the cases had a benign morphology, a high mitotic rate of 3 256 

mitoses/ high power field was reported by Collini et al. Recurrences occurred after 39 and 58 257 

months, respectively, in their case [10]. The patient ultimately succumbed to non-Hodgkin’s 258 

lymphoma (NHL) after 6 years. They proposed that PKA should be renamed as “papillary 259 

ameloblastic carcinoma” considering its clinically aggressive nature, the microscopic abundance 260 

of necrosis and recurrence. Such cases may closely resemble ameloblastic carcinoma, well-261 

differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma or primary intraosseous carcinoma. Generally, PKA 262 

lacks cellular pleomorphism, vascular and neural invasion, and abnormal mitoses. The presence 263 

of these features can aid in distinguishing PKA from these other malignant epithelial or 264 

odontogenic neoplasms. 265 

 266 

Investigation of the biological chemistry of the tissue by special stains and biomarkers by means 267 

of IHC has not been extensively studied in cases of PKA. The case reported by Collini et al. 268 

resembled a salivary gland tumor owing to the presence of tubules and duct-like structures [10]. The 269 

authors investigated mucin production by Alcian blue which resulted in negative staining. The 270 

salivary gland origin of the tumor was ruled out by negative immunostaining for high-molecular-271 

weight cytokeratins, smooth muscle α-actin, maspin, GFAP, and CD45. They found positive 272 

immunoexpression of low-molecular-weight cytokeratins in the epithelial cells, and vimentin in 273 

the stroma along with focal and weak expression of S100. Rathore et al. found intense 274 

immunoexpression of CK19 in the basal and suprabasal layers of the lining epithelium, which was 275 

indicative of its odontogenic origin [28]. Ki-67 was intensely expressed in the basal and suprabasal 276 



 

 

layers along with infrequent positivity in the superficial cells, which was indicative of the high 277 

proliferative potential of the cells. They also found that p53 was strongly expressed in the basal 278 

and suprabasal layers, suggestive of mutation in the tumor suppressor gene. The IHC findings of 279 

Collini et al. and Rathore et al. provided further evidence for the aggressive biological potential of 280 

the neoplastic odontogenic cells in PKA [10,13]. 281 

 282 

Various authors have dealt with PKA through different approaches such as wide excision (n=4, 283 

40%), segmental resection (n=2, 20%), hemimandibulectomy (n=2, 20%). Considering the 284 

extensive clinical involvement, presence of atypical cytological features and recurrence, Collini et 285 

al. performed modified neck dissection along with the hemimandibulectomy procedure in their 286 

case [10]. The lesion recurred 39 months after the treatment procedure, after which, no treatment 287 

was performed for the recurrent tumor owing to presence of concomitant NHL. Another recurrence 288 

was reported in the case reported by Bedi et al., which occurred three years after en bloc resection 289 

[2]. The remainder of cases showed no evidence of disease for a varying follow-up period of 2 290 

months to 1 year. However, considering the recurrences in the case of Collini et al. and Bedi et al. 291 

after three years of treatment, the follow-up period provided by the other authors may not be 292 

sufficient to declare a successful outcome. 293 

 294 

Except for luminal and intraluminal UAM, there is no difference in the treatment of different 295 

variants of AM [1]. Marx and Stern stated that classifying AM according to all the different types 296 

of histopathological features would only serve to complicate the classification system, ultimately 297 

confusing the clinicians [29]. Even so, the different histopathological types have academic 298 

importance and are of interest to pathologists. Therefore, as long as there is no significant 299 

difference in the biological behavior, including different histopathological types of an entity as 300 

variants seems the most rational approach. Reports of more cases in future with extensive long-301 

term follow-up of the outcome would shed more light on the subject of whether PKA is just a 302 

variant of AM or a distinct entity. In view of the current evidence, we believe that PKA should be 303 

considered as a variant of AM within the spectrum of keratinizing AMs 304 

 305 



 

 

Conclusion 306 

PKA is a rare entity with only 10 reported cases to date, all of which have involved the mandibular 307 

posterior region. The clinicodemographic and radiological characteristics of PKA are much similar 308 

to AM except that it occurs more commonly in older individuals and shows a marked predilection 309 

to occur on the right side. The lesion is locally aggressive exhibiting extensive clinical involvement 310 

of the mandible and adjacent structures. The radiological features of PKA are not pathognomonic 311 

and resemble other odontogenic neoplasms. Histopathological presence of papilliferous 312 

proliferations of the odontogenic epithelium, along with extensive keratin production which may 313 

even occur in the stroma are characteristic of PKA. Based on the presence of necrotic areas, the 314 

high proliferating potential of cells, and possible recurrence, we recommend it to be considered 315 

within the spectrum of keratinizing AMs, towards the more aggressive end. Further studies 316 

pertaining to biomarkers in PKA such as Syndecan—1, MMPs and RANKL, will aid in elucidating 317 

the biological potential of the lesion. With an increasing number of reported cases, more insights 318 

could be gained with respect to the possible links between the pathogenesis of OKC, AA, KA, and 319 

PKA. 320 

 321 

Authors’ Contribution 322 

SS and TC conceptualised the idea and designed the review. All the authors were responsible for 323 

data collection, analysis and resolution of any issues. SS, YA and TC prepared the manuscript 324 

while the content was critically reviewed and edited by MS, AT and RJ. All authors approved the 325 

final version of the manuscript. 326 

 327 

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 424 

Figure 1: PRISMA Flow Chart indicating selection process of articles for final qualitative 425 

synthesis of the present systematic review. 426 

 427 

 428 



 

 

 429 

Figure 2: Line diagram illustrating histopathological features of PKA. Ameloblast-like cells (1), 430 

Stacks of keratin within cystic degeneration in the follicle (2), Papillary projections into the follicle 431 

(3), Acantholytic cells (4), Keratin extruded into the stroma (5), Necrotic material within the 432 

follicle (6), Micropapillary structures in a follicle lined by squamous epithelial cells (7), Normal 433 

ameloblastoma-like follicle with central stellate reticulum-like cells (8) 434 

  435 



 

 

 436 

Figure 3: “(A) Photomicrograph exhibiting proliferating odontogenic epithelium lining the cystic 437 

lumen (H&E, ×40); (B) odontogenic epithelium proliferating in plexiform pattern of odontogenic 438 

epithelium (H&E, ×100); (C) papillary projections from odontogenic epithelium (H&E, ×100); 439 

(D) papillary proliferation of odontogenic epithelium within a collagenous connective tissue stoma 440 

(H&E, ×40); (E) extensive squamous metaplasia with in odontogenic islands lined by tall columnar 441 

ameloblast-like cells (H&E, ×100); (F) squamous metaplasia with keratin pearl formation (H&E, 442 

×100); (G) “keratin filled cystic spaces” with keratin production in the stroma (H&E, ×100); (H) 443 

“keratin filled cystic spaces” with keratin production in the stroma (Krebergs Stain, ×100); (I) 444 

“curvilinear ribbons” of odontogenic epithelium within collagenized stroma, which is extruding a 445 

“lamellar stack of keratin” into the stroma without foreign body response (H&E, ×100); (J) 446 

“pacinian-like” stack of keratin (H&E, ×100); (K) parakeratin packed elongated epithelial follicles 447 

showing lamellar arrangement of keratin forming “hair-like structures” (H&E, ×100); (L) 448 

formation of dentinoid-like material adjacent to odontogenic epithelium (H&E, ×100); (M) 449 

dentinoid-like material (H&E, ×1,000); (N) dentinoid-like material with tubular structures (H&E, 450 

×1,000); (O) granuloma with cholesterol cleft formation (H&E, ×100).” (Picture obtained from 451 

the case reported by Bedi et al.[2]) 452 



 

 

Table 1: Summary of demographic, clinical, radiological features and management of cases of PKA by various authors 453 

Sr. 

No

. 

Author 
Yea

r 

Age 

years 

Se

x 
Race 

Durati

on 

Ja

w 
Side 

Regio

n 
Extent 

Sympto

ms 

Radiogra

phic 

features 

Final 

Diagnosis  

Treatment and 

Follow-up  

GRAD

E 

System 

1 
Pindbor

g et al. 

197

0 
57 F 

Unkno

wn 

Unkno

wn 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

 Body, 

Angle, 

Ramus 

Unknow

n 
ML RL 

PKA 

Unknown  
Low 

2 

Altini et 

al. 

199

1 76 F 

South 

African 

12 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

PM to 

Sigmoi

d 

notch Swelling 

WD ML 

RL  PKA 

Hemimandibulect

omy 

1 year, NED 

Modera

te 

3 

Norval 

et al. 

199

4 26 F 

South 

African 

60 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

PM To 

3M 

Swelling

, Pain 

WD ML 

RL  

Unusual 

variant of 

KA 

Segmental 

resection + iliac 

crest graft High 

4 

Takeda 

et al. 

200

1 76 M  

Japanes

e 

Several 

months 

M

n Left 

Posteri

or 

C to 

2M, 

body Swelling 

WD ML 

RL  KA Surgical resection High 

5 

Collini 

et al. 

200

2 62 M Italian 

3 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

Ramus 

and 

condyl

e 

Swelling

, 

difficult

y in 

mandibu

lar 

moveme

nt 

Osteolyti

c lesion 

with 

irregular 

calcificati

ons PKA 

Hemimandibulect

omy + Modified 

neck dissection 

Recurrence after 

39 months 

 

Resection 

Recurrence after 

18  

 

Died after 6 years 

due to concurrent 

lymphoma High 

6 Mohant

y et al 

201

3 46 M  Indian 

12 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

C to 

Ramus Swelling 

ID ML 

RL  PKA Unknown 

Modera

te 



 

 

7 

Bedi et 

al. 

201

5 27 F Indian 

7 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

2PM 

to 

sigmoi

d 

notch Swelling 

ID ML 

RL  

KA 

complex 

histology 

Wide excision 

recurred once after 

3 years of en bloc 

resection High 

8 

Konda 

et al. 

201

6 44 M Indian 

6 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

C to 

1M 

Swelling

, 

intermitt

ent pain, 

mobility 

of teeth 

WD UL 

RL 

papilliferou

s 

keratinizin

g variant of 

solid 

multicystic 

ameloblast

oma  

In toto excision 

1 year, NED High 

9 

Kuberap

pa et al. 

201

7 65 M Indian 

4 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Antero

-

Posteri

or 

31 to 

47  

Swelling

, pain 

ID ML 

RL  PKA 

Wide excision 

2 months, NED High 

10 
Rathore 

et al. 

201

7 18 M Indian 

3 

months 

M

n 

Righ

t 

Posteri

or 

C to 

3M Swelling 

WD UL 

RL PKA 

Wide excision 

2 years, NED High 

454 

Legends for Table 1: 455 

M = Male, F = Female; Mn = Mandible 456 

C = Canine, PM = Premolar, M = Molar 457 

WD = Well-defined, ID = Ill-defined, ML = Multi-locular, UL = Unilocular, RL = Radiolucency 458 

PKA = Papilliferous keratoameloblastoma, KA = Keratoameloblastoma 459 

NED = No evidence of disease 460 

 461 

 462 



 

 

Table 2:  Summary of histopathological features observed in cases of PKA reported by various authors 463 

 464 

Author Epithelial component Connective tissue 

component 

 Type  Cystic 

Degeneration 

Necrotic 

material 

Desquamated 

keratin 

Papillary 

projections 

Ameloblast-

like features 

Stratified 

squamous 

lining in 

follicles 

Extruded 

keratin  

Hard tissue 

formation 

Pindborg et 

al. 

Follicles/islands Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Absent 

Altini et al. Follicles Present Present Present Present Absent Present Absent Absent 

Norval et al. Follicles Present Present Present Present Present Questionabl

e 

Present Dystrophic 

calcification 

Takeda et al. Follicles Absent Absent Present Present Present Present Present Cellular 

cementum / 

woven bone-

like 

Collini et al. Nests, tubules, 

islands, Indian 

file 

Present Minimal Present Present Present Absent Absent Absent 

Mohanty et 

al. 

Follicles Present Present Present Present Present Absent Absent Absent 

Bedi et al. Follicles, nests, 

chords, plexuses 

Present Present Present Present Present Absent Absent Dentinoid 

material 

Konda et al. Plexiform Absent Absent Present Present Present Absent Present Absent 

Kuberappa 

et al. 

Follicle, 

plexiform 

Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Absent 

Rathore et 

al. 

UAM with 

mural islands 

Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Absent