Some observations on the fluids of odontogenic cysts.

The fluids of 44 dental cysts, 19 dentigerous cysts, 36 odontogenic keratocysts, and 12 ameloblastomas have been investigated. The incidence of epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, cholesterol crystals and bacteria was recorded in smears. There was a high incidence of epithelial cells in odontogenic keratocysts and not in other lesions. Cholesterol crystals had a similar incidence in all lesions. The proportion of the soluble proteins and total protein content was determined from cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Dental cysts contained an average of 51.19% albumin, 17.52% beta globulin, 22.04 % gamma globulin, and 6.30 g/100 ml protein. Dentigerous cysts contained an average of 61.35% albumin, 13.98% beta globulin, 12.70% gamma globulin and 5.40 g/100 ml protein. Odontogenic keratocysts contained an average of 78.03% albumin, 7.51% beta globulin, 7.91% gamma globulin, and 2.09 g/100 ml protein. Ameloblastomas contained an average of 67.38% albumin, 12.83% beta globulin, 12.60% gamma globulin and 4.86 g/100 ml protein. The immunoglobulin content was determined by single radial immunodiffusion. Dental cysts contained an average of 488.9 mg/100 ml IgA, 2535.4 mg/100 ml IgG, and 135.6 mg/100 ml IgM. Dentigerous cysts contained an average of 308.4 mg/100 ml IgA, 1618.2 mg/100 ml IgG, and 155.6 mg/100 ml IgM. Odontogenic keratocysts contained an average of 135.6 mg/100 ml IgA, 491.9 mg/100 ml IgG, and 54.1 mg/100 ml IgM. The significance of these findings in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of these lesions is discussed.