Histopathological Analysis of the Effects of Corticosteroids on Vocal Cords: Experimental Study.

Local treatment with corticosteroids results in side effects involving the upper respiratory tract including candidiasis, sore throat, and dysphonia. Although these effects are well known, they have not been evaluated using a histopathological approach. This study investigated the histopathological aspects of steroid-induced dysphonia. A total of 16 female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups. The eight rats in the experimental group were given an inhaled dose of mometasone furoate daily for 4 weeks. The control group was kept at room temperature for 4 weeks. The vocal cords were evaluated histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Both groups had typical epithelial lining and basal membranes. Inflammation differed between the two groups (P = 0.024). There were no differences in squamous metaplasia and hyperplasia (P = 0.302 and 0.302, respectively). This study revealed that inhaled corticosteroids inhibit mucosal immunity, and may result in reversible mucosal changes.

Giant malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the testis.

We present a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the testis in a 59 year- old male who admitted to our hospital with left testicular painless mass presenting for two months. A scrotal ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 9 cm left testicular solid mass. Serum tumor markers were unremarkable. The patient underwent left radical orchiectomy. Histopathologic diagnosis was giant cell variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma which composed of varying amounts of a mixture of spindled, rounded and osteoclastic type giant cells. Hemorrhagic and necrotic areas were seen between tumor nodules. In immunohystochemical staining, vimentin, CD68 were positive and SMA was focally positive. The patient then received adjuvant chemoterapy and currently, he has no sign of recurrence.

Effects of Smoke Generated by Electrocautery on the Larynx.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of smoke produced by electrocautery on the laryngeal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 16 healthy, adult female Wistar albino rats. We divided the rats into two groups. Eight rats were exposed to smoke for 60 min/d for 4 weeks, and eight rats were not exposed to smoke and served as controls. The experimental group was maintained in a plexiglass cabin during exposure to smoke. At the end of 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed under high-dose ketamine anesthesia. Each vocal fold was removed. An expert pathologist blinded to the experimental group evaluated the tissues for the following: epithelial distribution, inflammation, hyperplasia, and metaplasia. Mucosal cellular activities were assessed by immunohistochemical staining for Ki67. Results taken before and after effect were compared statistically. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the extent of inflammation between the experimental group and the control group. Squamous metaplasia was detected in each group, but the difference was not significant. None of the larynges in either group developed hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: We showed increased tissue inflammation due to irritation by the smoke.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) in a postmenopausal woman, which had several peculiar features that differentiate it from previously reported ETTs. CASE REPORT: ETT of the uterus is a rare form of trophoblastic tumor with only 100 cases distinguished until now. Our case differs from the previously reported ones due to its several exceptional features. Our patient had no history of trophoblastic or gynecological disease; is postmenopausal; had endocervical extension from the beginning; recurrences and metastasis at follow up; and had a high Ki-67 index and a normal beta-human chorionic gonadotropin value. CONCLUSION: Because precise differential diagnosis will alter the therapeutic approach and prognosis, it is necessary for treating physicians to be aware of these unusual presentations.

Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System on Larynx: Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the effects of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) or also termed electronic cigarette vapor on the laryngeal mucosa of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups. The study group was exposed to ENDS vapor for 1 hour/day for 4 weeks. The control group was not subjected to any chemical or physical stimulus. The vocal folds of the study and control group rats were evaluated histopathologically by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemically by Ki67 staining. Epithelial distribution, inflammation, hyperplasia, and metaplasia were evaluated. RESULTS: Epithelial distribution and inflammation did not differ between the two groups. Two cases of hyperplasia were detected in the study group but there was no hyperplasia in the control group. Four cases of metaplasia were detected in the study group and one case in the control group. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the study and control groups (P = 0.131 and 0.106, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to ENDS for 4 weeks caused hyperplasia and metaplasia of the laryngeal mucosa of rats but this was not significant statistically. These results implemented that further studies with larger cohort and longer duration are required to evaluate long-term effects.

Congenital hairy polyp and autoamputation in an infant with acute otitis media.

Hairy polyp is a rare, benign tumor that frequently localizes in the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The embryogenesis of hairy polyp is not known precisely. The clinical profile can vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. In this report, we present a case with hairy polyp who was admitted with acute otitis media and completely recovered after spontaneous autoamputation.

Bilateral renal choriocarcinoma in a postmenopausal woman.

Choriocarcinoma is the most malignant tumor of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. It grows rapidly and metastasizes to the lung, liver, and less frequently, the brain. Metastases to the kidney are rare in the literature, and bilateral involvement is even more scarce. Renal involvement of choriocarcinoma is highly exceptional and may mimic renal cell carcinoma. Here we report a case of bilateral renal choriocarcinoma presenting 5 years after a history of a total anterior hysterectomy because of a hydatidiform mole.

The relationship of COX-2 expression with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and prognostic parameters in endometrial carcinomas.

AIM: Endometrial cancer (EC), which is the most common gynecologic cancer, develops as a result of disruption of the delicate balance between cell proliferation and cell loss, or apoptosis through activation of oncogenesis, or loss of tumor suppressor genes. Among the biochemical factors proposed to give a more detailed characterization of EC biology, estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) play a major role. Most of the studies in the literature have shown increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in EC. Recent experiments suggest that COX-2 antagonizes cell apoptosis, increases the invasiveness of malignant cells and promotes angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of COX-2 in EC, to study its correlation to established menstrual status, grade, myometrial invasion, lymph node status, stage and ER and PR status. MATERIAL & METHODS: The study was performed on 72 ECs. Immunohistochemically was analyzed for ER, PR, and COX-2. RESULTS: COX-2 positivity was found in 91.7% of the cases. In 61 cases (84.7%) there was ER positive staining, and in 59 cases (81.9%) PR positive staining was observed. We have not found a statistically significant relation between COX-2 and prognostic factors, ER and PR. CONCLUSIONS: A high expression rate still suggests a probable relation with endometrial carcinogenesis. If such a relation exists, new therapeutic options might be available in the future.

The relationship of cerb B 2 expression with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and prognostic parameters in endometrial carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract. Gene alterations and overexpression of various oncogenes are important in tumor development. The human HER 2 neu (c-erbB-2) gene product is a transmembrane receptor with an intracellular tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in coordinating the endometrial growth factor receptor signaling network. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of c-erbB-2 in endometrial cancer, to study its correlation to established prognostic parameters and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. METHODS: Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of ER, PR and c-erbB-2 were performed in 72 EC cases. RESULTS: We detected a positive staining with c erbB 2 in 18.1% of the cases and determined a statistically significant relation between c-erbB-2 and PR. We could not find a statistically significant relation between c-erbB-2 staining and ER. There was not a statistically significant difference between c-erbB-2 and histological grade. The highest level of c-erbB-2 was found in grade 2 cases. There was not any statistically significant relation between c-erbB-2 and menstrual status, myometrial invasion, lymph node status, stage and survival. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study provides additional evidence of the potential prognostic role of c-erbB-2, further prospective and controlled studies are required to validate their clinical usefulness.

Cell proliferation rate and telomerase activity in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant mesothelial proliferations.

AIMS: The differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM) from benign mesothelial lesions (BML) based on histopathological criteria is sometimes not satisfying and causes diagnostic problems for histopathologists. We aimed to investigate whether the immunohistochemically determined cell proliferation rate and telomerase activity, using Ki-67 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immunohistochemistry, respectively, are useful in the differential diagnosis of MM from BML. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of MM (33 epithelioid, 30 biphasic and 3 sarcomatoid) and 22 cases of BML (15 reactive mesothelial proliferations and 7 fibrous pleuritis/pericarditis) were included in this study. We evaluated the proliferative activity by Ki-67 and telomerase activity by hTERT immunohistochemistries for each case. RESULTS: The mean value of the Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) in MMs was significantly higher than that of BMLs. Biphasic MMs have higher a Ki-67 PI than epithelioid and sarcomatoid types. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry has a sensitivity of 74%, specificity of 86% and positive predictive value of 94% in detecting MM. hTERT immunohistochemistry detected MM with sensitivity and specificity of 68%. CONCLUSION: As a result, being cheap and simple methods, Ki-67 and hTERT immunohistochemistries can be used in differentiating malignant and benign mesothelial lesions in routine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material.