Changes in Exfoliative Cell of Oral Mucosa in Kidney Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative cytologic changes in oral mucosal smears collected from kidney transplant patients by modern stereologic methods. METHODS: We enrolled 32 kidney transplant patients. Smears were obtained from the buccal mucosa transplant patients before and 12 months after kidney transplantation. Smears from each individual were stained using the Papanicolaou method and were analyzed using a stereological method. RESULTS: Statistically, the nuclear volumes and cytoplasmic volumes in the cells of buccal mucosa were markedly higher after kidney transplantation (P < .05). There was a decreased positive cell density in the oral epithelial cells after kidney transplantation compared with before renal transplantation (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there are alterations in the oral epithelial cells after kidney transplantation, which are detectable by microscopy and cytomorphometry.

Foramen tympanicum or foramen of Huschke: anatomical cone beam CT study.

OBJECTIVE: The foramen of Huschke (foramen tympanicum) represents a developmental defect in the antero-inferior aspect of the bony external auditory meatus. The foramen is located at the antero-inferior aspect of the external auditory canal, posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study is to define the prevalence and location of the foramen of Huschke. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 207 cone beam CT (CBCT) studies (414 ears). We used flat panel detector (FPD)-based CBCT (New Tom FP; Quantitative Radiology, Verona, Italy) for imaging in our department. We noted the location of the foramen tympanicum and calculated its prevalence as a percentage. RESULTS: We found a foramen tympanicum in 37 (17.9%) of 207 patients. This was unilateral in 24 patients (11.6%) and bilateral in 13 patients (6.3%). Mean axial diameter was 5 mm and mean sagittal diameter was 2 mm. CONCLUSION: The foramen tympanicum is an uncommon disorder and is well demonstrated on CBCT. This is the first study to detect the foramen tympanicum using FPD-based CBCT.

Exfoliative cytology of oral mucosa in kidney transplant patients: a cytomorphometric study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative cytologic changes in oral mucosal smears collected from kidney transplant patients by modern stereologic methods. METHODS: Smears were obtained from the clinically healthy buccal mucosa and floor of mouth of transplant patients (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (n = 27). Smears from each individual stained by the Papanicolaou method were analyzed using a stereologic method. Nuclear (NV) and cytoplasmic (CV) volumes were evaluated with Stereo Investigator software. RESULTS: CV values were 123,012.71 ± 15,840.96 fL in the floor of the mouth and 133,667.10 ± 26,653.39 fL in the buccal mucosa of the kidney transplant patients. CV values were 133,746.93 ± 14,210.67 fL in the floor of the mouth and 167,797.78 ± 21,007.70 fL in the buccal mucosa of the control group. NV values were 945.68 ± 65.85 fL in the floor of the mouth and 845.15 ± 81.56 fL in the buccal mucosa of the kidney transplant patients and 485.17 ± 18.03 fL in the floor of the mouth and 410.25 ± 52.84 µm(3) in the buccal mucosa of the control group. Significantly higher NV (P = .000) and NV/CV (P = .000) and lower CS (P = .000) values were found in the patient group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that there were alterations in oral epithelial cells, detectable by microscopy and cytomorphometry in kidney transplant patients.