ABSTRACT
CD 10, a surface glycoprotein, depicts the proliferation potential, differentiation and prognosis of neoplastic cells. Dentigerous Cyst [DC] is the most common developmental odontogenic cyst having high proliferative index thus related with epithelial dysplasia and neoplasms. Ameloblastoma is an uncommon, benign and locally aggressive odontogenic neoplasm with high rate of recurrence after surgery. This study was therefore designed to determine the expression of CD 10 in DCs and ameloblastomas. Twenty-five patients presenting with DCs [n=12] and ameloblastomas [n=13] were selected. Relevant clinical and radiographical findings were recorded and biopsies were submitted for histological diagnosis. CD 10 immunopositivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry in four microscopic high power fields showing maximum number of immunopositive cells. Mean age was 26.5 +/- 11.24 years and 42.07 +/- 9.24 years while male to female ratio was 7:5 and 7:6 for DCs and ameloblastomas respectively. Most of the patients [58.3%] of DCs presented as-ymptomatically while 41.6% patients reported with painful swelling. Comparing, all patients with ameloblastomas presented with painless swelling. Radiographically, all DCs and 46.2% of ameloblastomas were unicystic while 53.8% were multicystic radiolucent lesions. Histologically, epithelial atypia was seen in 50% and 23% of DCs and ameloblastomas respectively. High CD 10 cytoplasmic and membranous immunoreactivity was observed in the superficial epithelial lining of the DCs and the neoplastic epithelial cells of ameloblastomas while the stellate reticulum like cells showed only cytoplasmic immunopositivity. CD 10 expression may indicate neoplastic disposition of DCs while locally invasive and recurrence potential in ameloblastomas