Concentration of Proteins in Intra-Osseous Jaw Cysts as an Adjunct to Diagnosis

Introduction: Cysts of the jaw are a recognized clinical entity for a long time and are a benign bone destroying lesion. Their remains a diagnostic ambiguity between cysts and cyst-like lesions of the jaws. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the total soluble protein content in fluid aspirates of intra osseous cyst of maxilla and mandible. Materials and Methods: A total number of 43 patients provisionally diagnosed being afflicted by intra-osseous jaw cysts on the basis of clinical, and radiological examination were selected randomly irrespective of caste, creed, age, sex and religion. The chief consideration was radicular, dentigerous and odontogenic keratocysts along with its albumin and different globulin fractions and corroborating them with the clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. Results: Among the total number of 43 uninfected intra-osseous jaw cysts histopathological evaluation revealed 24 cases to be radicular cysts, 11 cases were odontogenic keratocysts and 5 cases were dentigerous cysts. Calcifying odontogenic cyst, Nasopalatine duct cyst and residual cyst were one each in a number in the total sample. A peak frequency of radicular cysts was observed in the 4th decade of life dentigerous cysts in the second decade while keratocysts in the 3rd decade. All the cases revealed a male preponderance. Conclusion: Today there remains an ambiguity in the diagnosis and treatment planning of intra-osseous jaw cysts. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate and corroborate the clinical, radiological and biochemical findings with the histopathological features of cystic lesions with a view to proper diagnosis and treatment planning.