Relation between actinomycosis and histopathological and clinical features of the palatine tonsils: an Iranian experience

Actinomycosis of the tonsils has been reported in a variable percentage of tonsil specimens by other authors. This study determines the incidence of actinomyces in the palatine tonsil and evaluates the clinical diagnoses and histopathological features of tonsillectomy specimens. In a retrospective study, 204 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis [group A] and for sleep apnea without a history of recurrent tonsillitis [group B] were enrolled. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in the adult compared with the pediatric population. The prevalence of tonsillar actinomycetes colonization was higher in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis [43.9%] than in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea [26.3%]. The prevalence did not differ by sex of patient. Histopathological analysis of resected tonsils did not show active tissue infection. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of actinomycosis and age, with a greater occurrence of actinomycosis in adult patients. Although actinomyces colonization is more prevalent in patients with recurrent tonsillitis than sleepdisordered breathing, but the presence of actinomyces does not indicate any active disease

value of immunohistochemical markers in pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland

In recent years, immunohistochemical markers have provided considerable contribution to salivary gland tumor diagnosis and classification. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of various cytokeratin markers and smooth muscle actin [SMA] in differential diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma [PA] and adenoid cystic carcinoma [ACC]. In this retrospective study, 35 cases of salivary gland tumors composed of 19 PA and 16 ACC were selected and immunohistochemical staining with six cytokeratin markers [CK7, CK8, CK13, CK14, CK17 and CK18] and SMA were performed. The positivity of these markers in both typical and atypical areas of each tumor was compared. Positivity was defined if 10% or more of the cells were immunostained. In the PA group, there was no difference between luminal and stromal expression of CK7, CK8, CK13, CK14, CK17, and CK18 in both typical and atypical areas except SMA that was not expressed in the atypical area. No statistically significant differences were found between the expression of CK7, CK8, CK14 and CK18 in both typical and atypical areas of ACC group, with no expression of SMA in atypical area. It seems that the immunoprofile of the atypical area of both PA and ACC are similar to each other and IHC does not help to differentiate them

[Comparison of marking changes in neural cells detection protocol on superior laryngeal nerve in dogs]

Neuron tracing is a novel method that is used for detecting communications between cells, tracing nervous pathways, and recognizing the nuclei relating to different pathways. One of the most common tracing methods is putting cutting end of nerve inside the tracer solution. This method is so sensitive that improper insertion of the nerve inside a solution or histological preparation, would lead not to observing the tracers. We evaluated methods for observing tracers. 10 adult dogs were assigned into two groups. In the first group, the superior laryngeal nerve was cut and its proximal end, after washing and des-heating, was put inside the horse radish peroxidase [HRP] solution. In the second group, after washing the proximal cutting end of superior laryngeal nerve, we separated tiny vessels supplying the nerve to prevent hemorrhage. Then, by using the needle [gauge 22], 2-3 distal end of nerve sheath was precisely removed and nerve fibers were separated and kept inside the HRP solution. In both groups, nerve end was kept inside the HRP solution for 2 hours. Three to five days later, after perfusion and fixation their head and neck, their pons, medulla oblongata, three upper spinal segments and vagal ganglions were removed, sectioned and prepared histochemically and stained with thionin. The number of labeled cells in the first group was less [2-4 cells per section] than the second group [4-8 cells]. This difference was statistically significant [P<0.05]. This study showed that separating nerve fibers and fixation of nerve end inside the solution increased the absorption of tracer

[Communication between external and rrecurrent laryngeal nerves in human by using dissection method in Shiraz medical school]

The aim of this study was to identify laryngeal nerves anastomosis by dissection methods. Forty human hemi- larynxes were dissected. The recurrent and branches of superior laryngeal nerve [SLN] were dissected under steriomicroscpe and separated from the surrounding tissues. All of the nerves were dissected in order to find the connection branches between laryngeal nerves, especially between the ELN and the RLN. Anastomosis between the external branch of SLN and the RLN appeared as a connecting branch throughout the cricothyroid muscle in 37.5%. Connection between RLN and internal branch of the SLN [Galen anastomosis] was also found in 100% of cases. There are neural connections between external branch of the SLN and RLN in human. These connections can explain unexpected findings after laryngeal nerve damages

Effects of cisplatin on olfactory function in cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy

Although ototoxicity and neuropathy are common side effects of cisplatin, there is no evidence of altered olfactory function in cancer patients receiving cisplatin based chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cisplatin on olfactory function. Fifty-eight patients [13 female, and 45 male with a mean age of 54 years] who needed to be treated with cisplatin based chemotherapy at our institution were enrolled in this study. Cisplatin with a dose of 70-100 mg/m2 was administered per cycle in different chemotherapy regimens. Olfactory function and audiometery were tested before beginning chemotherapy [as baseline]. Assessment of olfactory function also was carried out before each cycle of cisplatin and finally olfactory test and audiometery was performed at least 3 weeks after the last course of cisplatin based chemotherapy. of 58 patients enrolled in this study, seven patients died due to their cancer and 51 patients completed the planned chemotherapeutic treatment. The patients received cisplatin at a cumulative dose of 100-700 mg/m2 [mean cumulative dose: 380 mg/m2] during their chemotherapy treatment. Hearing impairment was documented in fourteen patients and four patients developed hyposmia and one patient anosmia that had no hearing loss. The test score changes were not statistically significant but there was a statistically significant correlation between drug dose and hearing loss [P=0.039]. The results of this study showed that cisplatin has no statistically significant effect on the sense of smell at doses which cause hearing impairment

Charcot-leyden crystals in hodgkin's lymphoma

Herein, we reported on a middle-aged woman presented with painless cervical lymphadenopathy. Past medical history was not significant. Pathologic examination of incisional biopsy show partial effacement of lymph node architecture with many reactive inflammatory cells admixed with Reed-Sternberg cells, many Charcot-Leyden crystals, and noncaseating granu-loma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for the classic Reed-Sternberg cells for CD15 and CD30 and was negative for CD45 and CD20. All these findings confirmed the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Charcot-Leyden crystals, is considered a morphologic hallmark of eosinophil-related diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one case of Hodgkin's lymphoma has been reported in the world literature who has had Charcot-Leyden crystals

Investigation of H pylori colonization in adenotonsillectomy specimens by means of rapid urease [CLO] test

This prospective clinical study was performed to investigate the colonization of H pylori in adenoid and tonsil tissues by using the Campylobacter-like organism [CLO] test. Included in the study were 56 patients aged 3 to 43 yrs who had undergone adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy procedures under general anesthesia. Two-mm diameter tissue pieces of adenoid and tonsil specimens were placed in urease solution. Color changes were noted after 30 min and 24 hrs. 27 [48.2%] of the patients were shown to be H pylori positive and 29 [51.8%] were negative, regardless of the type of specimen. There was a high rate of H pylori colonization in tonsil and adenoid tissues. The cause of recurrent H pylori infections of the gastric mucosa may be the result of colonization in the adenotonsillar tissues. Prevention of H pylori colonization may reduce the recurrences of the disease

Evaluation of anatomic variations of lateral nasal wall in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Sinus endoscopic surgery requires sufficient anatomical knowledge of the area. The objective of this study was to determine the variations of anatomic landmarks in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery. This retrospective study was based on reviewing the recorded video tapes obtained during operation of 100 patients with chronic sinusitis or other sinonasal diseases who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. At the beginning of each operation, both nasal cavities were reviewed by 0 and 30 degrees, 4 millimeter telescope. Anatomic structures of the lateral nasal wall was viewed and findings were recorded on VHS videotapes. These videotapes were re-evaluated later. The following data were obtained by reviewing these anatomic variations in 170 nasal cavities in 100 patients: Middle turbinate: typical [70%], concha bullosa [10%], sagittal cleft [4.5%], lateral displacement [5%], lateral bending [4.5%], medial bending [3%], medial displacement [3%] and transverse cleft [0%]. Uncinate process: typical [82%] and medially rotated [18%]. Bulla ethmoidalis: balloon shaped [typical] [60%], sausage shape [22%] and flat [18%]. Accessory ostium: round [67%] and oval [33%]. Sphenoid sinus ostium: oval [50%], slit [35%] and round [15%]. This study attempted to determine the anatomic variations of the lateral nasal wall. Knowledge of these variations is important for differentiating pathologic conditions from normal anatomic variations and offers a safer and more effective endoscopic sinus surgery with less complications

Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma of the tongue: a case report

A 19-year-old girl referred to our clinic complaining of a painless lump on the left side of her tongue. The patient had no history of dysphagia, lingual paresthesia or bleeding. Physical examination revealed the presence of multiple enlarged lymph nodes on the left side of her neck. Histopathology of lingual mass and lymph nodes showed pleomorphic adenoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pleomorphic adenoma of the tongue with metastasis to the cervical nodes

Hydatid disease of the submandibular gland

Echinococcosis is a tissue infection of the human caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis. Hydatid cyst of the head and neck region is uncommon and involvement of the salivary glands, especially the submandibular gland, is very rare. In this article, a case of submandibular gland hydatid cyst is reported in a patient who presented with swelling of this area of 5 months' duration. Examination revealed a soft, nontender, mobile mass measuring 7x5 cm. Chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasonography were normal. Excision of the mass was performed and pathologic examination revealed a hydatid cyst of the submandibular gland