Inability to distinguish ameloblastomas from odontogenic cysts based on expression of blood cell carbohydrates.

This study was designed to confirm the report by Vedtofte and coworkers that the epithelium of ameloblastomas can be distinguished from that of nonneoplastic odontogenic cysts by differences in expressivity of cell surface carbohydrates with blood group specificity. Immunoperoxidase techniques were used to study four radicular cysts, seven dentigerous cysts, six ameloblastomas, and six examples of plexiform unicystic ameloblastoma. No consistent differences were found in the expressivity of the blood group carbohydrates A, B, and H type 2 in the nonneoplastic odontogenic cysts as compared to the ameloblastomas. Consequently, the demonstration of these blood group carbohydrates is of no value in the differential diagnosis of nonneoplastic odontogenic epithelium from ameloblastomas, including especially the plexiform unicystic ameloblastoma, the pattern that so closely resembles hyperplastic odontogenic epithelium.