Variability in the Epithelial Expression of Ki67 and Polarization Characteristics of Collagen in Odontogenic Cysts and Tumours

Objective: To assess the proliferation of epithelium (using the Ki67 index) and the polarization pattern of collagen in selected odontogenic cysts and tumours. In addition, an exploratory analysis of the effect of inflammation on the proliferation rate was done. Material and Methods: Following immunohistochemical staining, the labelling/proliferation index of Ki67 was calculated. The thickness and corresponding polarization colour of 100 juxta-epithelial picrosirius red-stained collagen fibers were assessed using linear micrometry with an eyepiece reticule under ×1000 magnification. Inflammation was graded subjectively as mild, moderate, and severe. Results: Overall Ki-67 expression was higher in the radicular cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, Ameloblastoma, while suprabasal Ki-67 positivity was maximum in Odontogenic Keratocyst. The stromal collagen fibers in Ameloblastoma showed predominantly green birefringence, whereas Odontogenic Keratocyst had orange birefringence. There was no significant association of inflammation with Ki-67 expression or birefringence patterns. Conclusion: The highest Ki67 expression in the radicular cyst, followed by Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma. Differences in the collagen maturation pattern were noted innately in five lesions studied and were further influenced by inflammatory changes. Epithelial proliferation and concomitant expression of thickness and maturity of the stromal collagen are innate features of the lesion further influenced by inflammation in various odontogenic cysts and tumours and may, in turn, guide the clinical behavior

Variability in the Epithelial Expression of Ki67 and Polarization Characteristics of Collagen in Odontogenic Cysts and Tumours

Objective: To assess the proliferation of epithelium (using the Ki67 index) and the polarization pattern of collagen in selected odontogenic cysts and tumours. In addition, an exploratory analysis of the effect of inflammation on the proliferation rate was done. Material and Methods: Following immunohistochemical staining, the labelling/proliferation index of Ki67 was calculated. The thickness and corresponding polarization colour of 100 juxta-epithelial picrosirius red-stained collagen fibers were assessed using linear micrometry with an eyepiece reticule under ×1000 magnification. Inflammation was graded subjectively as mild, moderate, and severe. Results: Overall Ki-67 expression was higher in the radicular cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, Ameloblastoma, while suprabasal Ki-67 positivity was maximum in Odontogenic Keratocyst. The stromal collagen fibers in Ameloblastoma showed predominantly green birefringence, whereas Odontogenic Keratocyst had orange birefringence. There was no significant association of inflammation with Ki-67 expression or birefringence patterns. Conclusion: The highest Ki67 expression in the radicular cyst, followed by Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma. Differences in the collagen maturation pattern were noted innately in five lesions studied and were further influenced by inflammatory changes. Epithelial proliferation and concomitant expression of thickness and maturity of the stromal collagen are innate features of the lesion further influenced by inflammation in various odontogenic cysts and tumours and may, in turn, guide the clinical behavior

Case Report Dysgenetic Polycystic Disease of Minor Salivary Gland: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Polycystic (dysgenetic) disease of the salivary glands is a rare entity that has only recently been described in the literature. The disease is more commonly seen in females and majority of the cases have presented as bilateral parotid gland swellings. This case presenting in a 21-year-old male is the first of this unusual entity involving solely the minor salivary gland on the lower lip. This case report highlights the importance for the clinician to be aware of this differential diagnosis, when treating an innocuous lesion like a mucocele

Assessment of knowledge of use of electronic cigarette and its harmful effects among young adults

The practice of young adults smoking e-cigarette may have been adopted as a way of smoking cessation or just to follow a trend. Most people still remain unaware of the detrimental effects of e-cigarette. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of the habit of smoking e-cigarette and the awareness of its harmful effects among adults aged 18–23 years

Oncocytes in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Palate: Diagnostic Challenges

The origin of a salivary gland tumour is attributed to cells at various levels of differentiation which present histologically as diverse tissues and cellular patterns. Mitochondria-rich, eosinophilic oncocytes are cells commonly encountered in salivary gland neoplasms. We report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in the palate of a 43-year-old female that exhibited a prominent oncocytic component. While the parotid and submandibular glands have been reported as predominant sites for oncocytic MEC (OMEC), the palate and minor salivary glands are rare sites for occurrence. Also, most of the reported cases of OMEC have been histologically of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma with large cystic spaces and good prognosis. In this article, we discuss the differential diagnosis and diagnostic workup of an MEC presenting with oncocytes

Post-radiation changes in oral tissues - An analysis of cancer irradiation cases

Introduction: Radiation, commonly employed as neoadjuvant, primary, and adjuvant therapy for head and neck cancer causes numerous epithelial and stromal changes, prominent among which is fibrosis with its early and late consequences. Very little is known about the true nature of the fibrosed tissue and the type of fibers accumulated. Radiotherapy affects the supporting tumor stroma often resulting in a worsening grade of tumor post-radiation. Aim: To study epithelial, neoplastic, stromal, and glandular changes in oral cavity induced by radiation therapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using special stains. Materials and Methods: The study included 27 samples of recurrent OSCC following completion of radiotherapy (recurrence within an average span of 11 months), and 26 non-irradiated cases of OSCC. Patients with a history of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy were not included in the study. The epithelial changes assessed included epithelial atrophy, apoptosis, necrosis, dysplasia, and neoplasia. The connective tissue was evaluated for amount of fibrosis, quality of fibers (using picrosirius red staining), fibrinous exudate, necrosis, pattern of invasion, vessel wall thickening, and salivary gland changes. The aforementioned changes were assessed using light and polarizing microscopy and tabulated. Statistical Analysis: Epithelial and connective tissue parameters were compared between the irradiated and non-irradiated cases using chi square and t-tests. Results: Epithelial and connective tissue parameters were found to be increased in irradiated patients. Pattern of invasion by tumor cells varied from strands and  cords between the two groups studied. The effect of radiation was seen to reflect on the maturity of fibers and the regularity of their distribution

Dysgenetic Polycystic Disease of Minor Salivary Gland: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Polycystic (dysgenetic) disease of the salivary glands is a rare entity that has only recently been described in the literature. The disease is more commonly seen in females and majority of the cases have presented as bilateral parotid gland swellings. This case presenting in a 21-year-old male is the first of this unusual entity involving solely the minor salivary gland on the lower lip. This case report highlights the importance for the clinician to be aware of this differential diagnosis, when treating an innocuous lesion like a mucocele

Odontogenic Cyst with Verrucous Proliferation Exhibiting Melanin Pigmentation

Verrucous proliferation arising from odontogenic cysts is a rare entity. We report an unusual case of an infected odontogenic cyst with verrucous proliferation and melanin pigmentation in a 13-year-old male patient who presented with an intraoral swelling in relation to impacted teeth 26 and 27. The enucleated lesion was diagnosed as an odontogenic keratocyst and the patient died within two years of presentation due to multiple recurrences. The clinical, radiological, and microscopic features of the lesion are presented with an attempt to discuss the etiopathogenesis. The case hereby reported is uncommon with only eight cases reported in the literature