Histologic difference in epithelial linings between follicular and radicular cysts.

The purpose of this study was to identify histologic differences in epithelial linings between follicular and radicular cysts in relation of their development. Linings and surrounding tissues of 25 radicular and 20 follicular cysts from archival paraffin embedded tissues were obtained and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Radicular cysts showed orthokeratotic 9-14 cell-layer-thick non-keratinized squamous epithelium and unspecific chronic inflammatory reaction in connective tissue. Follicular cysts showed 2-4 cell-layer-thick of non-keratinized stratified squamous or flattened-low cuboidal epithelium and connective tissue capsule free from inflammatory cell infiltration.