Modulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Churg-Strauss syndrome respiratory mucosa: potential monitoring parameters.

Churg-Strauss (CSS) syndrome is rare and of unknown etiology. It is associated with vasculitis, blood eosinophilia and granulomatosis, and affects multiple organs and systems at various stages of the disease. Specific diagnostic and monitoring tests are not yet available. This study aims to assess the changes in MMP-2 and MMP-9 along with the histopathological alterations in two cases of CSS, as possible potential diagnostic and monitoring criteria. Two adult male patients were diagnosed with CSS in the otorhinolaryngology clinic in the University of Palermo, based on multiple clinical and histopathologic criteria. Biopsies of respiratory mucosa were taken after the consent of the patients, processed for routine histopathology and immunohistochemistry as well as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Similar biopsies were also taken from a non- CSS patient. The Assessment of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was performed using both immunohistochemistry and qPCR techniques. Histopathological alterations in the respiratory mucosa were consistent with vasculitis and granulomatous tissue formation, in addition to inflammatory cell infiltration with abundance of eosinophils. Immunohistochemistry assay performed on the samples derived from the two CSS patients showed a relative and remarkable increase of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared to controls. Such an increase was consistent with the qPCR results which depicted a significant increase between 20 and 30% for both MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively. Since the secretion of MMPs is an essential step in angiogenesis, could these enzymatic factors be used as parameters to diagnose or monitor the evolution of CSS? The small number of samples analyzed in this study does not allow us to suggest a general statement correlating the increase in expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 to the appearance or evolution of vasculitis; it is only speculative.

The adenocarcinoma of the larynx: in aim of a clinic case. Histologic, immuno-histochemistry and electron microscope studies.

Adenocarcinoma "not otherwise specified" of the larynx appears to be extremely rare. We report a case of adenocarcinoma "NOS" arising in the larynx of a 72 year-old white man. The neoplasia was ALCIAN and PAS negative. Immuno-histochemical studies revealed negative immunoreactivity from NSE, chromogranins and S100; cytokeratin was positive. Electron microscopy revealed electrodense granules of varying sizes, but with no obvious central core surrounded by a limiting membrane. The patient underwent a total laryngectomy and functional neck dissection, with mandibular extension. And he is free of tumor after 4 years postoperatively.

[Short-term and long-term surgical prophylaxis with pefloxacin]. / Short-term e long-term profilassi chirurgica con pefloxacina.

In the present study the efficacy and safety of pefloxacin (400 mg/5 ml vial) intravenously administrated for surgical prophylaxis was assessed. Nine hundred and fifty-two patients were treated (599 M, 343 F), with a mean age of 57.9 years +/- 18.6 SD, and in all cases surgical prophylaxis was carried out according to the following scheme: short-term with 2 vials (800 mg) 1 h before the operation, repeated at 12 and 24 hours after the operation; long-term 2 vials (800 mg) 1 h before the operation repeated at 12 and 24 hours after the operation and followed by 1 vial every 12 h for other 2 days. The choice between the two schemes was conditioned by the type of operation and by the basic conditions of the patient. Pefloxacin was seen to be effective in preventing the onset of post-surgical infections (97%), also maintaining the clinical parameters considered within normal limits. Safety was also highly satisfactory, since only 22 (2.3%) cases of side effects occurred, particularly involving the gastro-intestinal system. Thus, in conclusion, the validity of pefloxacin in surgical prophylaxis, with special emphasis on its efficacy in elderly and compromised patients is asserted.

Ovarian cortex surrounding benign neoplasms: a histologic study.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the functional morphologic features of the ovarian cortex surrounding benign cysts. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four specimens (13 mature teratomas, nine benign cystadenomas, and 32 endometriomas) were obtained from the area of maximum distention of the ovarian cortex overlying benign cysts from 48 patients. The type and number of follicles were scored on a semiquantitative scale (0 to 4). Alterations of the cortical stroma that were related to the primary tumor were investigated. The vascular network was assessed by means of monoclonal antibodies directed against endothelial cells (anti-VW, QBEND/10) and scored on a scale from 0 to 2. The chi 2 and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Morphologic patterns similar to those of the normal ovarian cortex were observed in the cortical tissue surrounding mature teratomas, benign cystomas, and endometriomas in 92%, 77%, and 19% (p < 0.01) of specimens, respectively, and a regular vascular network was observed in 84%, 78%, and 22% (p < 0.01). Although microscopic endometriosis was observed surrounding the endometrioma in the stroma of 82% of specimens, stromal alterations related to the ovarian tumor were absent in the cortex surrounding mature teratomas and cystadenomas. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the ovarian cortex, which is stretched and thinned by the growth of a benign tumor, is not morphologically altered in the presence of teratomas or benign cystadenomas. Endometriomas are associated with microscopic stromal implants and reduced follicular number and activity.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic value of hysteroscopy in intrauterine synechiae]. / Validità diagnostica e terapeutica dell'isteroscopia nella patologia aderenziale intrauterina.

The paper evaluates the diagnostic and therapeutic value of hysteroscopy in a group of women suffering from intrauterine synechiae secondary to intrauterine mechanical manipulation following spontaneous abortion.

Reproductive performance in women with complete septate uteri.

Of 11 women with a diagnosis of complete septate uterus, 7 did not undergo any surgical correction, whereas 4 underwent metroplasty. The diagnosis was made in eight cases (73%) for reasons not related to the anomaly. In only three cases did the patients present with infertility complaints. Eight patients, one of whom was subsequently treated, had a total of 13 pregnancies, 3 (27%) of which ended in abortion, 4 (31%) in premature delivery and 6 (42%) in term births, for a live birth rate of 61.5%. The cumulative pregnancy rate was 80% at 12 months. The cumulative probability of carrying a pregnancy to term and giving birth to a live infant was 75% and 88%, respectively, for the second pregnancy. After metroplasty one patient still did not conceive, while three had a total of five pregnancies, one of which ended in abortion and four at term, for a live birth rate of 80%. With a complete septate uterus the ability to conceive is preserved, and the gestational ability is impaired only moderately. Metroplasty, if indicated, can yield good results in terms of the live birth rate.

Hysteroscopic treatment of uterine septum.

Authors report their 4 years experience in the treatment of uterine septum by hysteroscopic metroplasty. 35 patients underwent procedure; no complications occurred. Postoperative reproductive outcome was evaluated in 29 women with follow-up longer than 6 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to presence or absence of associated factors compromising fertility. Group A composed of 19 women in which uterine septum was the only cause of pregnancy wastage. Preoperatively they had 40 pregnancies all ending in spontaneous abortion. Postoperatively 15 (79%) patients conceived and 13 (68%) had a live baby. Totally they had 18 pregnancies, 2 (12%) ended in abortion, 1 in molar pregnancy, 1 in premature delivery, 11 delivered at term and 3 are currently beyond 20 weeks pregnant, for a live birth rate of 78%. Life table analysis showed an estimated pregnancy rate of 82% at 12 months, monthly fecundability was 0.13. Group B composed of 10 women in which other factors compromising fertility were present. Preoperatively only 5 experienced pregnancy. Totally they had 8 pregnancies 7 (86%) of which ended in abortions and one in extrauterine pregnancy. Postoperatively only 3 (30%) had pregnancy and all had a live baby. Totally they had 4 pregnancies, 1 ended in abortion and 3 at term for a live birth rate of 75%. Life table analysis showed an estimated pregnancy rate of 11% at 12 months, monthly fecundability rate was 0.01. Hysteroscopic metroplasty proved to be safe and effective for solving pregnancy wastage caused by uterine septum. If other factors compromising fertility were present metroplasty did not increase fecundability, but improved live birth rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reproductive performance in women with uterus didelphys.

The reproductive history of 19 women with the diagnosis of uterus didelphys is reported. With this goal the patients were divided into two groups: A) composed of 15 patients who did not undergo any surgical correction of uterine anomaly; B) composed of 4 patients where metroplasty was performed. Diagnosis was made in 17 cases (85.9%) for reasons not related to the uterine anomaly, only in 2 cases did patients present with infertility complaints. Vaginal malformation was associated in 16 (85%) cases; in 11 cases longitudinal septum was present; whereas in 5 hemivagina atretica was found. Eleven group A patients had a total of 23 pregnancies of which 3 (13%) ended in spontaneous abortions, 2 (8.7%) were voluntarily interrupted, 3 ended in premature birth and 15 in term births, with 17 live babies for a live birth rate of 74%. If we consider that two pregnancies were voluntarily interrupted, we had 17 live babies out of 21 naturally evolved pregnancies, for a live birth rate of 81%. In group B 3 patients before treatment had 3 pregnancies all ending in spontaneous abortion. After treatment all had a live baby. Reproductive and gestational performances of women with uterus didelphys are preserved. In patients with infertility complaints, all associated causes must be ruled out before surgical correction. If these are present its correction must be attempted as first therapeutic step, and term pregnancy with live baby is the rule. Only if repeated abortions are not related to any other cause, can metroplasty, according to Bret-Palmer technique, be performed.