A quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis of collagen fibers to determine the role of connective tissue stroma on biological behavior of odontogenic cysts: A histochemical study

BACKGROUND: Intricate relationship between epithelium and connective tissue is believed to play a significant role in pathogenesis of odontogenic lesions. Role of epithelium in its pathogenesis is well established and at the same time role of mesenchyme cannot be underestimated. AIM: To investigate, compare and correlate different types and pattern of collagen fibers in odontogenic cysts using picrosiriusred stain under polarizing microscopy in order to delineate its exact role in biological behavior of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The color and orientation of collagen fibers in the wall of 15 odontogenickeratocysts, 15 dentigerous cysts and 15 radicular cysts and 5 progressive stages of odontogenesis was studied histochemically by staining sections with picrosirius red and examining under polarizing microscope. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: In OKC, DC and progressive stages of odontogenesis the predominant color of thin collagen fibers birefringence was found to be greenish yellow and in radicular cyst it was orange red whereas thick fibers in OKC showed yellow orange color whereas DC and RC showed orange red color. OKC showed principally parallel orientation of collagen fibers in loosely packed stroma in contrast to dentigerous and radicular cyst. CONCLUSION: Quality, organization and packing of collagen fibers is different in 3 cystic lesions which accounts for difference in biological behavior of these lesions and it justifies that neoplastic growth requires a functional stroma and the ability of neoplastic cells to induce the formation of such a stroma is of great importance.