Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A M Kurt.
Sialolithiasis is a relatively frequent occurrence; however, cases of sialolithiasis originating around a "foreign body" nidus are rare. We describe a patient with submandibular sialolithiasis organized around a vegetal nidus and discuss the etiology of the case.
We reviewed the clinical history of 48 consecutive patients who underwent submandibular gland removal for radiologically proven sialolithiasis. The specimens were examined by a pathologist blinded to the clinical data. A histopathologic classification into I of 3 grades was established by evaluating the degrees of atrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation. A correlation between the clinical and pathological variables was sought in order to define clinical variables that would predict abnormal submandibular glands that required extirpation. A significant percentage of the submandibular glands exhibited normal histologic findings. The patients with normal submandibular glands had a clinical evolution similar to that of other patients with severely damaged glands. The only clinical variable that correlated with increased histopathologic alteration was the patient's age. In view of the newly available diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for sialolithiasis, a conservative attitude to submandibular gland resection appears justified.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility, complications, and efficacy of endoscopic neck dissection (END) in a porcine model. DESIGN: Experimental self-controlled study. SUBJECTS: Minipigs. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic neck dissection was performed using general anesthesia with techniques adapted from laparoscopic surgery. The tissue specimens removed were divided according to porcine equivalents of human neck groups. After the completion of END, open-neck dissection was performed using standard surgical techniques, and the remaining tissue within each neck group was retrieved. A pathologist evaluated each specimen without knowing its exact origin in terms of neck group or side and the type of surgical technique used. For each specimen, the number of retrieved lymph nodes and their anatomical integrity were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten neck dissections were performed in 8 minipigs without any major complications. The number of retrieved lymph nodes by END was 18.4 +/- 7.4 (mean +/- SD). Completed open-neck dissection retrieved an additional 3.3 +/- 1.8 lymph nodes. The efficacy rate of END was 88% +/- 10% (+/ -SD). The majority of retrieved lymph nodes were intact, with less than 5% of nodes exhibiting crushing artifacts. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic neck dissection in a porcine model seems to be free of major complications and able to retrieve the majority of neck lymph nodes. A larger number of animals and their survival need to be studied before human studies can begin.
INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the possible correlations between the extent of inflammatory infiltration of the nasal mucosa caused by mechanical irritation (septal deviation and hypertrophy of the middle turbinate) and nasal airway resistance measured by rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. Subjective evaluation of the nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and headache was done by visual analogic scale and compared with the inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 patients with a more than 18 months' history of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with septal deviation and/or hypertrophy of the middle turbinate were included in the study. The density of inflammatory cells (graded from + to +3, where + means few and +3 abundant inflammatory cells) in the mucosa of the middle turbinate was evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between subjective intensity of nasal obstruction and inflammation (mainly lymphocytes) of the middle turbinate mucosa and the value of nasal airway resistance measured by rhinomanometry. No correlation was found between the other parameters studied. CONCLUSION: Mechanical stimulation at the level of turbinoseptal contact causes inflammation in the mucosa which correlates with both subjective nasal airway resistance and rhinomanometry values.
We report a case of middle ear adenoma, a rare epithelial tumour composed of adenomatous and neuroendocrine cells. These tumours have been designated by many different names, leading to controversy regarding their histogenesis and classification. The diagnosis was based on light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. A positive immunoreaction was evidenced for antibodies to keratin and chromogranin. The tumour was removed surgically. No additional therapy is recommended in the literature.
INTRODUCTION: The endothelial serine protease dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) cleaves the tyrosin-prolin dipeptide of several inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY), yielding the endogenous Y2-receptor agonist NPY (3-36) which modulates sensory and parasympathetic nerve activity. The aims of the study were to investigate the localisation of DPP IV in human nasal mucosa and to measure in vitro activity of DPP IV in nasal mucosa biopsies from patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry we have studied the localisation of DPP IV in human nasal biopsies. The activity of DPP IV was measured in vitro in nasal mucosa samples obtained from 45 patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis and compared with the density of inflammatory cell infiltration. RESULTS: Positive immunoreactivity for DPP IV was observed in the human nasal mucosa. Low activity of DPP IV was associated with high density of inflammatory cells in the mucosa of patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. The regressive correlation was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low level DPP IV activity is associated with inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This enzyme may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of nasal hyperreactivity and chronic rhinosinusitis.
BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare and present unpredictable clinical behavior. METHODS: Between 1981 and 1998, 11 solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura were resected in 10 patients at the University Hospital of Geneva. Their clinical behavior and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Seven tumors arose from the visceral pleura, and three arose from the parietal pleura. Tumors arising from the parietal pleura were revealed to be more difficult to resect than those from the visceral pleura because of their size and adhesion to the chest wall requiring extrapleural resection. Eight tumors showed benign features, whereas two showed distinct features of malignity. One additional patient presented marked pleomorphism that could represent an intermediate form before frank malignity. Four tumors had been followed expectantly for 2 to 10 years before surgery. Although three enlarged rapidly, no signs of malignity were observed on histological examination. All patients are alive, from 2 months to 14 years after surgery (mean 55 months). In one case, however, a malignant tumor recurred 6 years after resection of a benign variant. CONCLUSIONS: Although histologically benign, solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura may enlarge rapidly and occasionally transform into malignant variants after several years. Therefore, complete surgical resection and long-term follow-up is recommended for all patients.
We report the pathological findings in cases of acrylic implants obtained by direct intratumoral injection of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and N-butyl-cyano-acrylate (NBCA). Direct intratumoral injection of acrylic implants was performed for a variety of primary and secondary bone lesions. These types of treatments have been used at our institution in the last 4 years for 40 vertebroplasty (PMMA) procedures and for nine bone lesions of other locations (PMMA, NBCA). Postmortem histology became available for 1 case of PMMA and for 5 cases with NBCA intratumoral acrylic implants. The pathological findings associated with PMMA and NBCA were evaluated and compared. PMMA exhibited a macroscopic and microscopic rim of tumor necrosis, 6 months after implantation. NBCA exhibited compressive effects on the nearby tumor tissue, however, without signs of significant necrosis outside the acrylic tumor cast. Tumor captured inside the acrylic cast showed extensive to near complete necrosis. Acrylic implants may lead to necrosis when injected directly in tumors. The necrotizing effect may extend beyond the limits of an implant in the case of PMMA. Such an extended effect of PMMA, when compared with NBCA, may be due to the variable toxicity of acrylic implants, including the different degrees of the exothermic reaction during polymerization.
Pulmonary fungal infection is diagnosed in up to 15-25% of lung transplant recipients and frequently bears a fatal outcome. This prospective uncontrolled study addresses the efficacy and safety of pre-emptive azole therapy against fungal infection in these patients. Fluconazole or itraconazole have been systematically used according to reported fungus sensitivity after the discovery of fungi in lower respiratory tract samples. Patients were treated until the bronchial suture was normal and the cultures of the following bronchoscopy remained negative. Fungi were found post-transplantation in the lower respiratory tract specimens of 26 out of 31 (84%) patients, predominantly Candida albicans (20 patients) and Aspergillus fumigatus (16 patients). Mycelia characteristic of Candida spp. or Aspergillus spp. were found in necrotic tissue at the bronchial suture of nine patients. The mean duration of the 38 treatments was 3.6+/-2.6 months (range, 0.5-12 months). After a median follow-up of 16 (range, 0-48) months, two cases of extended ulcerative and pseudo membranous Aspergillus fumigatus bronchitis were observed and healed under itraconazole treatment. In conclusion, pre-emptive azole therapy may be effective and well-tolerated in lung transplant patients where fungi are found in the airways or pleura.
A benign primary pulmonary meningioma, an extremely rare tumour, was incidentally detected in a 57-year-old woman in association with a contralateral pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The meningioma was initially suspected to be a metastasis. Both tumours were excised, with excellent outcome. Anatomic features of primary pulmonary meningioma and differential diagnosis are discussed.
Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that the hepatitis C virus infection might be associated with the development of distinct types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Here, we report a case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C and type II mixed cryoglobulinemia, who developed a primary hepatic non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. A diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed based on morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular genetic findings. Hepatitis C virus replication, as evaluated by strand-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, was detected in the nonneoplastic liver, but not in the lymphomatous tissue. High grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, although rare complications, have to be considered as part of the spectrum of hepatitis C virus-related hepatic lesions.
The objective of this study was to analyze the radiologic features of atypical forms of squamous cell cancer and correlate them with clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings. The CT and MRI images of 31 patients with atypical forms of squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively and the radiologic findings were correlated with clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings. Histopathologic diagnoses included undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (n = 8), verrucous carcinoma (n = 18), spindle cell carcinoma (n = 3), and basaloid cell carcinoma (n = 2). Undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type was located in the supraglottis or piriform sinus beneath an intact mucosa and initial endoscopic biopsy was most often negative. The discrepancy between an intact mucosa at endoscopy and a solid mass with homogenous enhancement at CT or MRI was characteristic for these tumors and warranted further investigations to obtain the definitive histologic diagnosis. Verrucous carcinoma displayed characteristic clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features, namely, an exophytic tumor arising from the glottic level displaying a rugged surface with finger-like projections but with only minor submucosal infiltration. Spindle cell carcinoma appeared as a polypoid mass with a thin stalk arising from the supraglottis. Basaloid cell carcinoma displayed a distinct lobulated enhancement pattern which was observed on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted SE images. Although the MR and CT features of atypical forms of squamous cell carcinoma cannot be considered pathognomonic they should raise the differential diagnosis even if endoscopic biopsy has been negative. The radiologist's awareness of the appearance of these unusual tumors on CT and MR images may greatly facilitate the diagnostic work-up and helps to guide the endoscopist to the adequate biopsy site in order to establish the correct diagnosis.
The manifestations of multiple myeloma are protean and related to bony osteolytic lesions, and to medullar and renal insufficiency. We report a patient who presented with otalgia as the inaugural symptom of multiple myeloma. Local irradiation combined with systemic chemotherapy led to the disappearance of the temporal bone mass and the accompanying symptoms. To date, 24 months after the diagnosis, the patient is still in remission. The literature on otological involvement in multiple myeloma is reviewed. Symptoms are non-specific and include hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, facial paralysis, and otalgia. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma should be considered in the presence of a temporal bone mass.
Germ cell tumours (GCT) of the testis are the most common malignant tumours occurring in young adults. In view of the young age of patients, the increasing incidence of GCT and the overexpression of wild-type p53 observed in a majority of tumours, the possibility of the involvement of a virus in the development of this cancer was considered. Testicular GCT were analysed for the presence of cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which are known to cause overexpression of wild-type p53 protein, and parvovirus B19. The testicular tissue of 39 patients with testicular GCT and 12 patients with healthy testicular tissues was tested for presence of viral DNA by PCR. Neither cytomegalovirus nor EBV DNAs were detected in the 39 tumours analysed, but parvovirus B19 DNA sequences were demonstrated in the testicular tissue of 85% (33/39 cases) of patients with GCT. The sera of 16 of the 39 patients with GCT were tested for the presence of parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG. B19-specific IgG was detected in the sera of 11 patients (69%). Only one case was positive for parvovirus B19 IgM, which was also shown to have B19 genome sequences in the serum by PCR, indicating that in a majority of cases an acute B19 infection can be excluded as being the source of the B19 DNA sequences in the testis. B19 DNA could not be detected in normal testicular tissue and thus parvovirus B19 could play a role, direct or indirect, in the development of testicular GCT or have tropism for the tumour cells.
Gouty arthritis is the most frequent rheumatological complication among cyclosporine-treated organ transplant recipients. We report one case of pseudotumoral intramuscular tophaceous deposit of the forearm, in a heart transplant patient with a history of traumatic wound to the same area 17 years previously, and with no known arthritis.
Cases of mediastinal germ cell tumours associated with haematological disorders (two cases of systemic mastocytosis included) have been reported previously. This combination is more frequent than would be expected by chance alone. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman, who presented with a systemic mastocytosis following a malignant ovarian germ cell tumour which was treated by chemo- and radiotherapy. The patient predominantly complained of skeletal pains, which led to an erroneous radiological diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia for years. An aggressive variant of systemic mastocytosis was diagnosed on bone marrow examination. Systemic mastocytosis was confirmed by splenectomy, liver biopsy and finally autopsy. The present case is unique because of the ovarian location of the germ cell tumour. We suggest our observation could be related to the broad group of haematological malignancies associated with germ cell tumours.
PURPOSE: To determine the characteristic diagnostic features of necrotizing fasciitis and to evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with surgically proved necrotizing fasciitis of the extracranial head and neck were examined with contrast material-enhanced CT. Clinical, radiologic, surgical, pathologic, and anatomic findings at admission and after initial treatment were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Constant CT features of necrotizing fasciitis were diffuse thickening and infiltration of the cutis and subcutis (cellulitis); diffuse enhancement and/or thickening of the superficial and deep cervical fasciae (fasciitis); enhancement and thickening of the platysma, sternocleidomastoid muscle, or strap muscles (myositis); and fluid collections in multiple neck compartments. Inconstant CT features included gas collections, mediastinitis, and pleural or pericardial effusions. All patients underwent extensive surgical debridement. Follow-up CT scans in 11 patients revealed clinically unsuspected progression of the inflammatory process in previously unaffected areas, a finding that warranted additional surgery in nine patients. Twelve patients survived, and two patients died of septic shock and aspiration pneumonia despite intensive surgical and medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of necrotizing fasciitis with CT enables appropriate surgical treatment. CT may also be a useful guide in further patient treatment after initial surgical debridement.