Effect of smoking on skin elastic fibers: a morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis

Tobacco smoking is one of the major health problems in the world. This study was conducted to investigate the morphological changes of the dermal elastic tissue of sun-protected skin induced by smoking. Punch biopsies were obtained from the nonexposed skin of 15 smokers and 15 nonsmokers to evaluate the dermal elastic fibers using morphometric analysis and immunohistochemical techniques. Elastic fibers of the reticular dermis were more numerous, thickened and fragmented in smokers than in nonsmokers. Correlations between the cumulative tobacco dose and the morphology of the elastic fibers were highly significant. Immunohistochemical analysis for alpha-1-antitrypsin showed negative cytoplasmic staining for all samples of both smokers and nonsmokers. This study indicates that smoking is one of the risk factors that lead to an increase in elastic fibers of the reticular dermis. This increase is due to elastic tissue degradation rather than by new synthesis, as in solar elastosis. Furthermore, smoking has multiplicative effects on facial ageing and could share, at least in part, a pathophysiological pathway

Local and systemic effects of corrective nasal surgery for chronic nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis patients

This study included 40 patients with allergic rhinitis suffering mainly from chronic nasal obstructions due to deviated nasal septum, hypertrophy of inferior nasal turbinates or both. All patients were subjected to skin testing, total serum IgE level, and active anterior rhinometric measurement of total nasal resistance; before and after 6 months corrective nasal surgery in the form of septoplastic procedures with or without inferior tuberinectomy according to the situation. Serum IgE level falls significantly in allergic rhinitis patients after successful corrective nasal surgery. Also, total nasal resistance during inspiration and expiration were significantly reduced in these cases. The results of this work support the notion that surgical correction of chronic nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis patients, not only reduces the nasal resistance, but also has a benificial impact on the patients general condition

Histopathological changes in nasal mucosa following corrective surgery for chronic nasal obstruction in allergic and vasomotor rhinitis

Histopathological nasal mucosal changes, in allergic and vasomotor rhinitis, before and 6 months after corrective nasal surgery were recorded in order to determine any light microscopic variations in these patients and to assess the effects of corrective nasal surgery; performed to relieve nasal obstruction, on the microscopic structure of nasal mucosa. A total of 64 cases of allergic and vasomotor rhinitis suffering from chronic nasal obstruction due to either septal or conchal causes were included in this study. 26 patients were diagnosed as allergic and the remainder as vasomotor rhinitis on the basis of history, thorough clinical examination, skin testing and total serum IgE levels. The results indicated that differentiation between allergic and vasomotor rhinitis on histopathological basis was not substantiated. Postoperative changes in both groups were similar and demonstrated a significant change towards normality

Malignant external otitis in elderly diabetic patients: Early detection, evaluation and follow-up

Twenty three cases of malignant external otitis were studied. A precipitating factor was recorded in 13 cases [56.5%]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been isolated uniformly in pure [78%] or mixed cultures. There is moderate to severe sensory neural hearing loss with more affection of the high frequencies. Histologically, there was non-specific infection. Roentenograhic findings are not helpfull in the early stages, but using isotope scanning can demonstrate the pathological changes. Gallium 67 scan was proved to have accurate ratio [100%] for early diagnosis, while Technetium 99 in MDP was proved to have the ability to assess the affection of the bone. The monitoring of response to therapy should be determined by gallium 67 scan which has as accuracy ratio of 100%. The treatment should be early and of aggressive interference, otherwise serious complications as facial nerve palsy which was recorded in 5 cases [35.7%] and paralysis of the last cranial nerve as occurred in 2 cases [14.3%]. Death occurred in 3 cases [21.4%]. The medical treatment was sufficient in the group of early detection; while in the group of late detection the best result was gained from the combination of early aggressive medical treatment in addition to local debridement of the external ear canal. Ciprofloxacin drug represents the future weapon for successful therapy

new approach to maxillary tumours

A new procedure for surgical management of tumours involving the maxillary sinus and its anatomically related structures. It combines the sublabial midfacial degloving approach with a skin incision below free margin of the lower eye-lid. Compared with Other surgical approaches, it is an easy procedure, offering a wide access to the maxilla and its related structures, and gives an aesthetically accepted scar and functionally superior results

comparative study between the traditionally used drugs and the local application of honey in treatment of primary atrophic rhinitis [a clinical and histopathological study

Thirty patients with primary atrophic rhinitis were treated with alkaline nasal wash for [4] weeks and then with antibiotics according to culture and sensitivity for another [4] weeks. Then the patients were divided into equal three groups; the first group was treated by nasal drops used at E.N.T. department [Ain Shams University], the second group was treated with honey nasal drops and the third group was treated with honey packs for [8] weeks. Biopsy was taken from the inferior turbinate Mucosa before and after treatment. The results indicated that honey could improve the symptoms and signs of atrophic rhinitis in all the cases particularly in cases treated with honey packs, while there was improvement in 60% of cases treated by nasal drops used at E.N.T. department [Ain Shams University]. There was clinical improvement in 30% of cases treated with alkaline nasal wash and in 33.3% of cases treated by the combination of systemic antibiotics and alkaline nasal wash. There was a histological improvement with the use of honey and also with the use of nasal drops used at E.N.T. department [Ain Shams University]

comparative study between the fate of preserved and freshly implanted ossicular homografts and heterografts in guinea pigs

Eighty guinea pigs were used in this study. They were divided into 5 groups = control, animals receiving alcohol preserved ossicular homografts and heterografts and animals receiving freshly implanted ossicular homografts and hetero-grafts. Observation was done up to 26 weeks. The preserved homografts had the best fate as they were accepted with no immune reaction, replaced by new bone and covered with healthy mucosa derived from the host. Occasional bony fixation was observed. The preserved heterografts did not induce acute immune rejection but they were resorbed and replaced by fibrous tissue. The freshly implanted homo and heterograft ossicles induced severe immune reaction followed by rejection. We conclude that well preserved homografts are suitable for ossicular reconstruction. Preserved heterografts are not suitable because they are resorbed while fresh homo and heterografts are not accepted immunologically