Purpose: This study attempted to identify differential cytokeratin expressi
on in cystic jaw lesions using immunohistochemical staining.
Patients and Methods: The charts from selected patients treated between 198
3 and 1994 for jaw cysts were evaluated. Twenty-four paraffinized specimens
were selected randomly for investigation with 5 immunohistochemical stains
. The 4 diagnostic categories included ameloblastoma, dentigerous cyst, odo
ntogenic keratocyst (OKC), and recurrent odontogenic keratocyst in patients
with nevoid basal cell carcinoma (NBCC) syndrome. The 5 immunohistochemica
l stains included antibodies to cytokeratins 13, 17, and 18; CAM 5.2; AE 1/
3; and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
Results: Differential staining of OKCs from patients with and without NBCC
syndrome was found only with the antibody to cytokeratin 17. Furthermore, s
taining of OKCs in syndromic patients appeared to be stronger and more unif
orm than in nonsyndromic patients.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that immunohistochemical staining for c
ytokeratin 17 may aid in the diagnosis of OKCs and may be used to further s
ubdivide these lesions based on the presence or absence of NBCC syndrome. (
C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.