Calretinin expression in odontogenic cysts and odontogenic tumors and the possible role of calretinin in pathogenesis of ameloblastoma

INTRODUCTION: Histopathological diagnosis of odontogenic cysts and tumors is a task mostly accomplished with hematoxylin and eosin staining. However, the use of additional diagnostic modalities such as immunohistochemistry may be necessary in histologically similar lesions. The reports of studies which have used calretinin as an immunohistochemical marker for ameloblastoma have been conflicting. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of calretinin as a specific diagnostic marker for ameloblastoma and observe its expression in odontogenic cysts and other odontogenic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were taken from the archives which included 15 cases each of dentigerous cyst, radicular cyst, odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma five cases of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor and three cases of ameloblastic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was done with calretinin antibody. RESULTS: All ameloblastomas were positive for calretinin, whereas no other tumor or cyst showed positivity. Differences in proportion of calretinin expression were statistically significant with P = 0.000. CONCLUSION: Calretinin can be considered as a specific marker for ameloblastomas.