Lectin histochemistry of dermoid and epidermoid cysts of the central nervous system.

The binding affinities of seven lectins to four epidermoid and three dermoid cysts were studied and the results were compared with the epidermis and the oral mucosa. The reactivity of four epidermoid cysts of the fourth ventricle and the frontal lobe, and one dermoid cyst in the sylvian fissure was consistent with that of the skin, whereas the binding profile of one parasellar dermoid cyst was identical to that of the keratinized oral mucosa. Another parasellar dermoid cyst also showed close similarity to the buccal mucosa. These results indicate that cells of these cysts develop same glycoconjugates as do normal epithelial cells, and some of these cysts around the sellar region might be derived from the cells of the oral mucosa.