alcian-blue and Mouth-Neoplasms

Mast cells are large cells with granular cytoplasm that participate in wound healing, angiogenesis and defense against pathogens. They also contribute to inflammation by initiating innate and acquired immunity. The granules of these cells exhibit characteristic staining properties. We investigated toluidine blue, astra blue, Alcian blue-pyronin Y and May-Grunwald Giemsa stains for mast cells in various oral lesions and assessed the efficacy of each for identifying mast cells. Sections were obtained from 10 each of diagnosed cases of inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia, periapical cyst, mild dysplasia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma and stained using the stains listed above. Mast cells were assessed for their presence, contrast of the mast cell in the connective tissue background and number. We found that May-Grunwald Giemsa stain was the best for identification of mast cells, although toluidine blue staining is less time-consuming. Overall we obtained better results using May-Grunwald Giemsa and toluidine blue for staining mast cells.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Count; Coloring Agents; Histological Techniques; Humans; Mast Cells; Mouth Neoplasms; Staining and Labeling; Tolonium Chloride

To describe 15 cases of oral focal mucinosis (OFM) and compare these to previously reported cases.. Cases diagnosed as OFM in the period 1981-2003-were reviewed. Clinical information provided at the time of submission of each specimen was retrieved and supplemented by additional clinical details provided by the respective clinician at the time of compilation of this paper. The literature was reviewed.. OFM presented as an innocuous soft tissue swelling that may be either pedunculated or sessile. The gingiva was confirmed as the most common site for OFM, with a predominance of females affected. Microscopically, OFM is characterised by an area of myxoid tissue which is usually well-defined. The lesion is periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-negative and alcian blue-positive, with pre-digestion with hyaluronidase preventing the alcian blue staining. As the differential diagnosis includes myxoid neural lesions, S100 staining is important in establishing the diagnosis, with cases of OFM being negative.. The cause of OFM remains unknown. The cases presented in this paper bring OFM to the attention of anatomical pathologists when considering the differential diagnosis of myxoid lesions of the oral cavity.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcian Blue; Connective Tissue; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gingival Diseases; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Diseases; Mouth Neoplasms; Mucinoses; Mucins; Myxoma; S100 Proteins