Comparison of angiogenesis in keratocystic odontogenic tumours, dentigerous cysts and ameloblastomas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare angiogenesis in keratocystic odontogenic tumours, dentigerous cysts (DCs) and ameloblasomas using monoclonal antibody against CD34.


METHODS
Microvessel density was assessed in a total of 53 cases including 20 keratocystic odontogenic tumours, 13 DCs and 20 ameloblastomas (14 solid and six unicystic variants). Microvessel density was expressed as the mean number of microvessels per high-power-field.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences in mean microvessel density were observed between keratocystic odontogenic tumours, DCs and solid ameloblastomas (P < 0.001). Mean microvessel density was significantly higher in solid ameloblastomas compared with both keratocystic odontogenic tumours and DCs; and was also significantly higher in keratocystic odontogenic tumours than in DCs.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of the present study, it can be suggested that angiogenesis may be one of the mechanisms possibly contributing to the different biological behaviours of keratocystic odontogenic tumours, DCs and solid ameloblastomas.
Dental Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
M
M
Alaeddini
S
S
Salah
F
F
Dehghan
N
N
Eshghyar
S
S
Etemad-Moghadam
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric