Cytokeratin expression patterns for distinction of odontogenic keratocysts from dentigerous and radicular cysts.
BACKGROUND
The clinical outcome of treatment of odontogenic cysts differs depending on separate entities. Particular clinical relevance must be attached to the distinction between odontogenic keratocysts, which have an evident tendency to recur, and other odontogenic cysts. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytokeratin (CK) expression patterns as an additional tool for characterization of different cysts as the histomorphologic appearance often is not decisive.


METHODS
Thirty cases of dentigerous and radicular cysts respectively as well as 15 cases of odontogenic keratocysts were considered. Expression of CK 5/6, 7, 10, 13, 17, 19 and 20 was determined in addition to Ki-67 immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Expression of CK 17 was discernible in 93.3% of the odontogenic keratocysts, but only in 35.0% of dentigerous and radicular cysts under study (P < 0.001). CK 19 could be detected in 48.3% of dentigerous and radicular cysts, whereas odontogenic keratocysts were completely negative (P < 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical detection of CK 17 and 19 seems to be a valuable additional parameter distinguishing between odontogenic keratocysts and other odontogenic--especially dentigerous--cysts which clinically are likely the most significant differential diagnoses in this context. J Oral Pathol Med (2005) 34: 558-64.
Stoll
Christian
C
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aachen University of Technology, Aachen, Germany. cstoll@ukaachen.de
Stollenwerk
Carolin
C
Riediger
Dieter
D
Mittermayer
Christian
C
Alfer
Joachim
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D053554:Keratin-20; D053552:Keratin-7; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C507499:KRT20 protein, human; C507497:KRT7 protein, human; D053554:Keratin-20; D053552:Keratin-7; D007633:Keratins