Cytokeratin expression in the odontogenic keratocyst

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.