Objective. To associate radiographic and histopathological features of pericoronal follicles (PFs) of asymptomatic impacted teeth and evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the epithelium.Study Design. Epithelium and mesenchyme of radiographically normal (NPF≤2.5 mm) and hyperplastic (HPF 2.6 to 5 mm) PF (n=140) were studied histologically. Cell proliferation (PI) and epithelial apoptosis were evaluated by Ki-67 and bcl-2 expression in 14 NPFs and 10 dentigerous cysts (DCs).Results. Radiographically, 127 were NPFs and 13 were HPFs; 87.8% of total PFs exhibited epithelium on the surface. Reduced enamel epithelium was observed in 78 (61.4%) NPFs and 6 (46.2%) HPFs, squamous metaplasia in 17 (13.4%) NPFs and 4 (30.8%) HPFs, and cystic epithelium in 15 (11.8%) NPFs and 3 (23%) HPFs. Mean PI was1.97±1.25and7.97±1.74in the epithelial component of NPF and DC, respectively; bcl-2 positive expression was observed in 9 (64.3%) NPFs and 7 (70%) DCs.Conclusion. The scant epithelial remnant proliferation could imply low risk for development of odontogenic pathologies in the absence of an additional stimulus.
Evaluation of cell proliferation in breast carcinoma. Comparison of Ki-67 immunohistochemical study, DNA flow cytometric analysis, and mitotic count
