The effect of paclitaxel on conjunctival wound healing: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of mitomycin C (MMC) and paclitaxel entrapped within Carbopol 980 hydrogel (CH) on conjunctival wound healing. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were randomized into 2 groups. In group 1, limbal-based conjunctival flaps were created in both eyes. In this stage, eyes were randomized for 4 different processes. In process 1, a dry cellulose sponge soaked with 0.2 mg/mL of MMC was applied to the scleral surface. A cellulose sponge soaked with balanced saline solution was applied in the same manner in process 2. In process 3, paclitaxel 1 mg/mL entrapped within CH was placed between the conjunctiva and sclera. In process 4, CH without paclitaxel was applied in the same manner. The conjunctiva was then sutured. All procedures were applied in the same manner in both eyes of animals in group 2. Eyes from group 1 were sampled at the seventh day, and the sampling was also carried out in group 2 on day 14. The inflammatory response and fibrosis were evaluated with light microscopy. RESULTS: Among 4 different processes, lower cell counts and fibrosis scores were found in eyes treated with MMC and paclitaxel compared with balanced saline solution and CH groups (P<0.05). There was no difference between eyes treated with MMC and paclitaxel in terms of these histopathologic parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel was shown to provide MMC-like antifibrotic effects during conjunctival wound healing, particularly when delivered with CH and might be a promising alternative as an adjunctive antimetabolite in glaucoma filtration surgery.

Gastric cancer and the coincidental finding of herpetic esophagitis immediately after pregnancy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer associated with pregnancy is extremely rare and usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. CASE: A 22-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with complaints of dysphagia, retrosternal pain, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopic biopsy revealed herpetic esophagitis and signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach. CONCLUSION: Early recognition and diagnosis of gastric cancer during pregnancy is the only possibility for a positive outcome.

Endobronchial metastasis of thyroid follicular carcinoma.

Well-differentiated forms of thyroid cancer, including follicular carcinoma, usually have good prognoses. But they are also known to metastasize to the bones, lungs and central nervous system. Endobronchial metastasis is exceptionally rare. In this paper, we report on a patient with endobronchial metastasis of follicular thyroid carcinoma. A 77-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with hemoptysis and a growing mass over the right clavicula. Computerized tomography (CT) of the chest revealed multiple lung metastases. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a fragile polypoid mass of 1.5 cm, 6 cm distal to the vocal cords. Biopsy from the supraclavicular mass was consistent with follicular thyroid carcinoma. Taking into account the advanced nature of the disease as well as the general condition and age of the patient, aggressive treatment modalities were not considered in the management. Palliation for hemoptysis was attained by external radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, hemoptysis did not recur, and the patient was discharged. Although endobronchial metastasis of thyroid follicular carcinoma is very rare, the presence of endobronchial metastasis may be life threatening due to massive hemoptysis, and such a lesion must be suspected in any cancer patients presenting with hemoptysis.

Atypical endometrial stromal cells related with a polypoid leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei: a case report.

We presented a polypoid leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei having atypical endometrial stromal cells adjacent to the leiomyoma. Although atypical stromal cells of the female genital tract have been described, to our knowledge, no lesion identical to ours has been reported thus far. These atypical cells may be mistaken for malignant cells on histologic examination, especially in small endometrial samples. To differentiate these kinds of atypical-featured lesions from sarcoma is important, especially in curettage materials. The etiology and precise nature of multinucleated giant cells and atypical stromal cells in the endometrium are unclear. To prevent radical surgery, pathologists must be familiar with these atypical cells in the female genital tract.