A comparative stereologic and ultrastructural study of blood vessels in odontogenic keratocysts and dentigerous cysts.

Blood vessels were investigated both stereologically and ultrastructurally in keratocyst and dentigerous cyst. The volume and surface densities of blood vessels in 15 keratocysts and dentigerous cysts were analyzed stereologically. No significant differences were found between them using these parameters, suggesting that their overall vascularity may be similar. However, the ultrastructural study showed marked differences between blood vessels in these two types of cysts. It was observed that fenestrated capillaries were found only in keratocysts. In addition, degeneration of endothelial lining associated with thrombosis was also a prominent feature of this cyst. While ruptured endothelium, narrow lumen and Weibel-Palade bodies were characteristic of vessels in dentigerous cyst. The presence of fenestrated capillaries in keratocyst and not in dentigerous cyst might indicate a rapid transfer of fluid to meet the demand of the relatively active proliferating epithelium, which may be promoted by growth factors released from platelets in those thrombosed vessels.