Lewis antigens and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions staining for assessment of potential malignancy of adenomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract in children

Histopathologic comparison of normal and hyperplastic condyles

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare normal and hyperplastic mandibular condyles using two different histopathologic staining techniques.

STUDY DESIGN

Nine cases of condylar hyperplasia and 13 normal cases were studied after hematoxylin and eosin and silver staining.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the two groups in the thickness of the hyperplastic cartilage layer of condylar soft tissue (P = 0.017). Also, the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions was significantly higher in the condylar hyperplasia case group (P = 0.0001). No significant differences could be demonstrated in cartilage island frequency, penetration depth, and distribution in the cancellous bone of condyles.

CONCLUSION

The thickness of the hyperplastic cartilage layer appears significantly increased in condylar hyperplasia. In addition, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region count may be useful in histopathological identification of condylar hyperplasia.

Nucleolar organizer regions in selected odontogenic lesions

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to assess the usefulness of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) as quantitative criteria in the diagnosis of odontogenic cysts and tumors.

STUDY DESIGN

This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on archival paraffin blocks (n = 37), consisting of 10 conventional ameloblastomas, 7 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma, 10 odontogenic keratocysts, and 10 dentigerous cysts, all accessioned between 1994 and 2000.

RESULTS

The findings showed a significant statistical difference among the 4 lesions (P <.001). Conventional and unicystic ameloblastomas had a significantly higher (P <.05) number of AgNORs than odontogenic keratocysts and dentigerous cysts. No significant differences were observed within each group of tumors or cysts. The number of AgNORs was also significantly higher (P <.005) in the nuclei of basal layer cells of the epithelial lining of keratocysts than in the nuclei of parabasal layer cells. AgNORs in conventional and unicystic ameloblastomas were smaller but more broadly distributed, which may indicate higher proliferative activity.

CONCLUSION

AgNORs can be useful in the histopathologic differentiation of ameloblastomas from odontogenic cysts.