A comparative histological study of odontogenic keratocysts in basal cell naevus syndrome and control patients

164 odontogenic keratocysts from 60 patients with the basal cell naevus syndrome were compared with a similar number of single keratocysts matched for age and site. Significant differences between the two groups were found in the numbers of satellite cysts, solid islands of epithelial proliferation and odontogenic rests within the capsule, and in the numbers of mitotic figures in the epithelium lining the main cavity. An index of activity derived from these parameters suggests a greater growth potential in syndrome cysts; in addition, the patterns of association of the features support the theory that the odontogenic rests give rise to satellite cysts.