Research Article
Paremala K, Radhika MB, Lalita
Abstract
Objectives: Odontogenic keratocysts are common, locally destructive lesions of the head and neck region. They can occur as solitary or multiple lesions, and if multiple, they are mostly associated with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. This study aims to categorize the OKCs which behave more aggressively, using conventional histopathological techniques. Methodology: The present study exploits conventional histopathological techniques to gain an insight into the behavior of the OKC (both solitary and non-syndrome associated multiple OKCs). The histological features (keratinization pattern, presence of satellite cysts / odontogenic islands, epithelial infoldings and corrugations) and histometric parameters (total number of nuclei, epithelial height, total nuclear density, number of basal nuclei, basement membrane length, basal nuclear density and mitotic index) were compared between the two groups of cysts. Result: Multiple OKCs exhibited increase in number of infoldings, corrugations, mitotic index, reduced epithelial height, total number of nuclei, number of basal nuclei, and basal nuclear density. This information may be used to predict their biologic behavior and thus serve as a basis for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Conclusion: Conventional histopathological techniques can provide valuable information which may be useful to categorize those OKCs that have more aggressive biological behavior and helps in deciding the treatment protocol.