Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of hyaline bodies in odontogenic cysts.

Hyaline bodies in odontogenic cysts were examined by using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques and transmission electron microscopy in order to study their origin. These methods revealed no evidence of keratinization, erythrocytes, and endothelial cells in the hyaline bodies. Ultrastructurally, epidermoid cells were attached to the hyaline bodies by hemidesmosomes and induced numerous vesicles in their cytoplasm. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis demonstrated a resemblance between components of the vesicles and that of the hyaline bodies. This close relationship of both structures supports the hypothesis that hyaline bodies are a secretory product of odontogenic epithelium.