Evaluation of biological behavior of odontogenic keratocyst and orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst using picrosirius red stain: A clinicopathological retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) show considerable difference in biological behavior, and the study of the organization of collagen fibers may be helpful in understanding the nature of these variants. Aims: The purpose of this study is to determine the clinicopathological features and to analyze the birefringence of collagen fibers in OKC and OOC using picrosirius red stain to delineate its exact role in biological behavior. Materials and Methods: Clinical data were obtained from the case records of 71 patients, and for the analysis of birefringence, paraffin-embedded blocks of 10 cases each of OKC and OOC were retrieved from the archives of our department during the period of 2010–2018. Tissue sections were obtained and stained with picrosirius red stain to determine the birefringence of collagen fibers in both the variants. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired t-test. Results: Out of 71 cases, 61 were OKC and 10 were OOC. The clinicopathological data revealed that the most common affected age group was third decade with male predilection and the most common site noted was posterior mandible, and considerable difference in birefringence was noted in the collagen fibers of OKC and OOC. Conclusion: The study results analyzing the clinicopathological parameters of OKC and OOC could act as a viable record for the distribution of odontogenic lesions in the sample population. Significant differences in birefringence were demonstrated in OKC and OOC, suggesting that different collagen fibers may exist in the two lesions.