Tissue samples from six patients suffering from lichen planus (L. P.), with oral and genital localization were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy, in order to better define the structural and ultrastructural changes that are correlated with L. P. and fit with immunologically mediated pathogenesis theory. Many of the classical histopathological features of L. P. were found: the hydropic degeneration of basal keratinocytes, presence of colloid bodies and heavy chronic chorionic inflamatory cell infiltrate. There were also observed several differences from skin localization of L. P. consisting in more frequent parakeratosis, obvious atrophy of the epithelium, pathological presence of granular layer. Ultrastructural studies confirm and clarify the light microscopic picture: basal lamina is frequently broken, basal keratinocytes are degenerated, presenting thickening, clumping and disorders of orientation of tonofilaments. There are many Langerhans cells. The inflammatory infiltrate is composed of interacting cells: many T-lymphocytes and activated macrophages, few B-lymphocites and plasma cells.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Typical and atypical carcinoid tumors of lung: two distinct clinicomorphologic entities.

Thirty-six cases of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor were reviewed in order to identify the clinicomorphologic criteria whereby typical and atypical carcinoids can be classified as two distinct entities. This study indicates that bronchial typical carcinoids are tumors with very low malignancy, more often centrally located and occurring in relatively young patients. The prognosis is good, with a five year-survival rate of about 73%, although regional nodal metastases may occasionally develop. Atypical carcinoids are more frequently peripheral tumors, occurring in comparatively old patients and differing from typical carcinoids by a less favourable prognosis, with a five year-survival rate of about 25% and a higher incidence of nodal metastases. The morphological study of these tumors reveals the following criteria as most reliable for distinguishing between the two types of bronchial carcinoid: increased mitotic activity, cellular pleomorphism and tumor necrosis, which are best correlated with the agressiveness of atypical carcinoids.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (C.I.E.)--ultrastructural evidences of abnormal stratum corneum retention.

Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (C.I.E.) is a skin disorder which has been considered as a hyperkinetic hyperkeratosis. This study was performed in order to demonstrate that C.I.E. pathogenesis includes both basal cell hyperplasia and abnormal stratum corneum retention. Electron microscopic studies were carried out on 5 cases of C.I.E., clinically and histopathologically diagnosed. The following pathological changes were found in stratum corneum and stratum granulosum: persistence of desmosomes in outer layers of stratum corneum, increased volume of intercorneocyte material, loss of lamellar pattern of Odland bodies, important variability in size and shape of keratohyaline granules, abnormal aggregation of tonofilaments. These constitute ultrastructural evidences of abnormal stratum corneum retention in C.I.E. pathogenesis.

Cytoplasm↗