Metaplasia and degeneration in odontogenic cysts in man.

Abstract

Abstract. In a histologic study of the walls of 638 odontogenic cysts, the incidence of metaplastic and/or degenerative changes was recorded. There were 402 denial cysts, 81 dentigerous cysts, 15 lateral periodontal cysts, 1 gingival cyst and 139 odontogenic keratocysts.Mucus cells were present in 39.6 % of the dental cysts, 42.0 % of the dentigeious cysts, 20.0 % of the lateral periodontal cysts and 3.7 % of the odontogenic keratocysts. There was no difference in incidence between the maxilla and mandible. The incidence of mucus cells increased with the age of the patient from whom the cyst was removed. Ciliated cells were present in 0.7 % of the dental cysts and 1.5 % of the odontogenic keratocysts, but were absent from dentigerous cysts and lateral periodontal cysts. Keratin was present in 2.0 % of the dental cysts, 2.5 % of the dentigerous cysts, and all of the odontogenic keratocysts, but was absent from lateral periodontal cysts. Hyaline bodies were present in 6.7 % of the dental cysts, 1.2 % of the dentigerous cysts, none of the lateral periodontal cysts and 9.4 % of the odontogenic keratocysts. Mineralized bodies were present in 2.5 % of the dental cysts, 7.4 % of the dentigerous cysts, 6.7 % of the lateral periodontal cysts and 12.9 % of the odontogenic keratocysts. The origin of these changes is discussed in the light of these findings.