Non specific argyrophilia in oral mucosa

Abstract EN

Aim of the study : To identify the existence of cytoplasmic non-NOR silver stained granules as a problem particularly related to oral mucosa.

Materials and methods : A total of 30 samples (formalin fixed and paraffin embedded) normal oral mucosa were collected to represent the main intra oral anatomical regions.

4 urn tissue sections were cut and stained with silver nitrate (one step staining technique) as described by Cromine (10).

Results : Non specific argyrophilia was seen in the granular cell layer of normal oral mucosa at the cheek and palate, while silver deposits were observed at the basal and supra-basal layers of normal oral mucosa at the lip and cheek.

Non-keratinized mucosa of the floor of the mouth and the keratinized mucosa of the gingival and tongue did not express any deposits neither at the basal nor at higher level layers.

Conclusion : The non specific argyrophilia in oral mucosa is not related to the type of the mucosa -rather than to the effect of the exposure to external factors which exaggerate the existence of these granules which had affinity to silver nitrate stain And it is recommended to ovoid melanosis or hyperkeratosis.