ABSTRACT
Odontogenic keratocyst [OKC] and dentigerous cyst are two most common developmental odontogenic cysts involving jaws. OKC has a high growth potential in contrast to its minor clinical manifestation. It has also a high degree of recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to diagnose the OKC and dentigerous cysts and also differentiate them based on their immunohistochemical criteria. To provide the materials for this research, we preliminarely reviewed the records of the patients referred to pathology lab of shahid Beheshti Dental College between March 1999 and March 2003 and 60 paraffin-embedded biopsies [20 OKC, 20 dentigerous cysts and 20 dental follicles] were selected. Then immunhistochemical staining was applied to identify cytokeratin-10 [CK-10] and cytokeratin-19 [CK-19] and their conditions, as well. The expression of CK-10, CK-19 are seen in OKC and dentigerous cyst. CK-10 was found more in OKC, along with CK-19 in dentigerous cyst. The expression of these cytokeratins was more in upper half of the epithelial lining of these cysts. One of the dental follicles expressed CK-19, but not CK-10. CK-10 is more specific for OKC as well as CK-19 for dentigerous cyst. These cytokeratins are usually seen in the upper layers of the cyst lining. If an expression of cytokeratin-19 is found in a dental follicle, it may correspond the cystic transformation of the latter one