Alterations in superoxide dismutase activities, lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels in thinner inhaled rat lungs: relationship between histopathological properties

Paint thinner has widespread use in industry. The use of thinner among children as a narcotic agent has become a social and health problem. There is some evidence that organic solvents may express their toxicity by the way of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced cell damage. ROS has been shown to induce lipid peroxidation in biological membranes. This study examined peroxidative and histopathological changes in the rat lung, during 5 weeks of thinner inhalation. Significant increases were found in lipid peroxidation (MDA+4-DHA) levels related to the duration of inhalation. As opposed to increases in the lipid peroxidation levels, significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione levels were observed from the third inhalation week to the end of the fifth week. At the beginning of the inhalation slight inflammatory changes, intraalveolar and interstitial extravasation and oedema in lung parenchyma were noted. As the inhalation period extended, chronic inflammatory changes, alveolar epithelial proliferation, collapse, emphysematous changes and interstitial fibrosis in lung were detected.

Cytologic diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis. A study of 131 cases

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of cytochemical stains and microscopic techniques for the detection of true hydatid elements (primary cytologic criteria) and to evaluate the efficacy of granulomatous elements (secondary cytologic criteria) for the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis (CPUCH).

STUDY DESIGN

Sputum, bronchial washing and bronchial brushing specimens obtained from 131 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of CPUCH were reviewed.

RESULTS

CPUCH was histopathologically proven in 111 of 131 patients. Scolices were found in 11 patients in Papanicolaou-EA65 (PAP-EA65)-stained slides. Special stains and dark field microscopy (DFM) did not make any additional contribution to specifying the nature of the scolexlike objects. Hooklets were found in 26 patients in PAP-EA65-stained slides. Masson's trichrome stain and DFM revealed hooklets in 37 and 50 cases, respectively. Laminated membrane fragments were found in 14 patients in PAP-EA65-stained slides. Gomori's methenamine silver stain and DFM demonstrated laminated membrane fragments in 25 and 33 cases, respectively. Secondary cytologic criteria, such as multinucleated giant cells, degenerated squamous cells, dyskaryotic squamous cells, excessive amounts of eosinophils, plasma cells, lymphocytes, histiocytes, necrotic debris, fibrinoid material and erythrocytes, were considered to be suggestive of hydatid disease when there are more than three such factors in patients with a presumptive diagnosis of CPUCH.

CONCLUSION

Though DFM examination is superior to cytochemical stains used in this study, both cytochemical stains and DFM are useful in increasing the sensitivity of cytologic detection of true hydatid elements, especially hooklets and laminated membrane fragments. They should be used as auxiliary techniques. Secondary cytologic criteria are suggestive of the diagnosis of CPUCH, and special care should be taken when there are more than three such factors in cytologic specimens.

Value of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis

Complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis (CPUCH) is a serious condition, which requires immediate treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the final diagnosis of CPUCH. Of 1,726 cases, who underwent FOB evaluation between 1990 and 1994 in our centre, 24 patients (17 females and 7 males), who had proven CPUCH after thoracotomy, were included in this study. Fourteen of the 24 cases were diagnosed in the preoperative period by cytological and histopathological evaluation of FOB material, whereas the remaining 10 cases with presumed CPUCH underwent thoracotomy for final diagnosis. Of the 14 cases diagnosed by FOB (11 females and 3 males); none had concomitant extrapulmonary hydatid disease. Whitish-yellow membranes were seen in 12 of the cases during FOB. Whilst cuticular particles, degenerated scoleces, and hooklets were seen in 14 cases in bronchial lavage, these elements were identified in brushing material in only seven. In 10 of the 14 cases, cytological diagnosis was confirmed by FOB biopsies before thoracotomy. It is concluded that whilst the clinical, radiological and laboratory findings are presumptive, fibreoptic bronchoscopic examination and the cytological and histopathological examination of material obtained during that procedure are conclusive for the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis.

Value of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis

Complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis (CPUCH) is a serious condition, which requires immediate treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the final diagnosis of CPUCH. Of 1,726 cases, who underwent FOB evaluation between 1990 and 1994 in our centre, 24 patients (17 females and 7 males), who had proven CPUCH after thoracotomy, were included in this study. Fourteen of the 24 cases were diagnosed in the preoperative period by cytological and histopathological evaluation of FOB material, whereas the remaining 10 cases with presumed CPUCH underwent thoracotomy for final diagnosis. Of the 14 cases diagnosed by FOB (11 females and 3 males); none had concomitant extrapulmonary hydatid disease. Whitish-yellow membranes were seen in 12 of the cases during FOB. Whilst cuticular particles, degenerated scoleces, and hooklets were seen in 14 cases in bronchial lavage, these elements were identified in brushing material in only seven. In 10 of the 14 cases, cytological diagnosis was confirmed by FOB biopsies before thoracotomy. It is concluded that whilst the clinical, radiological and laboratory findings are presumptive, fibreoptic bronchoscopic examination and the cytological and histopathological examination of material obtained during that procedure are conclusive for the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary unilocular cystic hydatidosis.

Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced cytologic alterations in the sputum of patients with inoperable lung carcinoma. Role in follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To define the light microscopic cytologic changes due to chemotherapy (CT) and/or radiotherapy (RT); to evaluate the differentiation of those changes according to treatment; to find out whether a relation exists between treatment type and its duration and the cytologic findings; and to determine the role of sputum cytology in evaluating efficacy of treatment and follow-up in patients with inoperable lung cancer of various histology.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 1,605 periodic sputum samples from 80 cases of lung cancer obtained during treatment and follow-up were prospectively examined cytologically. The relationship of treatment type and duration to qualitative and semiquantitative data and the definability of the response to treatment as well as the relationship of progression-free survival (PFS) and total survival (TS) rates with cytologic data were evaluated.

RESULTS

The majority of therapy-induced cellular changes were in the nucleus and were directly related to the duration of treatment. An increase in minimally affected tumor cells, tumor cells that lost their pathologic features and necrotic cell debris were good indicators of therapeutic efficacy. Cytologic changes did not reflect PFS and TS rates.

CONCLUSION

Although light microscopic cytologic changes cannot be attributed objectively to either RT or CT, therapeutic efficacy is shown in follow-up sputum cytology, which can be used in monitoring and planning additional therapy or other therapeutic options in lung cancer patients.

Intralesional alfa-2a interferon therapy for basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an epithelial tumour of the skin that arises from basal cells of the epidermis and its appendages. There are some therapeutic models for BCC, and one of these is intralesional interferon. Thirteen patients with histopathologically-proven BCC on their faces or trunk were treated with intralesional interferon alfa-2a. Only 2 of 13 patients required surgery due to insufficient improvement. All the others were completely cured in 12 to 36 weeks. We concluded that intralesional interferon therapy of sufficient dose and duration for noduloulcerative and superficial BCC is an encouraging alternative to surgery and other treatment models.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult

We present the case of a 27-year-old Caucasian woman who suffered from Langerhans cell histiocytosis with axillary and scalp involvement. She also developed diabetes insipidus after 2 years of skin lesions. Topical nitrogen mustard therapy was performed for the skin lesions, but we had to stop this therapy because of severe local irritation and systemic urticaria. Afterwards, we administered etoposide systemically, but no improvement appeared in 6 weeks. Finally we used methotrexate for 3 months and the result was very good at the end of the first month.

Subepineural hyperplastic pacinian corpuscle: an unusual cause of digital pain

A case is presented in which the patient's chief complaint was severe digital pain radiating to the arm. Even light touch was enough to produce unbearable pain, which prevented the patient from carrying out simple daily tasks. She had complete relief of her symptoms following removal of the hyperplastic pacinian corpuscle and returned to her normal life. A review of the literature revealed few reported cases of hypertrophied pacinian corpuscles in the hand. We believe that this diagnosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of digital pain of unknown etiology.

[A case of bronchial leiomyoma]

Pulmonary leiomyomas are the least common benign tumors of the lung. These tumors originate from smooth muscles of the bronchial walls, peripheral small airways, or from perivascular smooth muscles. It is reported that the diagnosis of the tumor has been established bronchoscopically and proved with thoracotomy. The characteristics of the tumor and treatment modalities are discussed.

A case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia associated with FANA positiveness--a case report

This is the case report of a forty-five-year-old woman who manifested clinical findings characteristic of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) except for fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) positiveness. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of FANA positiveness associated with ARVD.