Evaluation of the Ki-67 and MCM3 expression in cytologic smear of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Statement of the Problem: Squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] is the most frequent oral cancer whose 5-year survival rate is 80% for early-detected lesions and nearly 30-50% for advanced lesions. Early detection of oral cancers and precancerous lesions can improve the patient's survival and decrease the morbidity

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the Ki-67 and MCM3 expression in cytologic smear of oral SCC [OSCC]

Materials and Method: We examined 48 oral brush biopsies including 28 OSCC and 20 healthy non-smoking samples. Immunocytochemistry staining was performed for Ki-67 and MCM3 by using an EnVision-labeled peroxidase system, and labeling index [LI] was calculated

Results: Out of 28 OSCC cases, 27[96.4%] cases contained MCM3 positive cells and 22[78%] cases contained Ki-67 positive cells. All normal mucosa were Ki-67 and MCM3 negative. MCM3 and Ki-67 LI were significantly higher in OSCC than normal mucosa [p< 0.001]. MCM3 LI was significantly higher than Ki-67 LI in OSCC group [p< 0.001]

Conclusion: Immunocytologic evaluation of Ki-67 and MCM3 can be used for early detection of OSCC. Furthermore, MCM3 may be a more sensitive cytologic bi-omarker than Ki-67 in SCC patients

Correlation between Female Sex Hormones and Electrodiagnostic Parameters and Clinical Function in Post-menopausal Women with Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of sex-hormonal changes in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among post-menopausal women through measuring estrogen receptor (ER) expression in their transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and serum estrogen level, as well as determine the correlation between these factors and electrodiagnostic parameters and Boston score. METHODS: Biopsy samples of TCL were collected from 12 postmenopausal women who had undergone surgery for severe idiopathic CTS; control specimens were collected from 10 postmenopausal women without CTS who had undergone surgery for the other hand pathologies. To determine the distributions of ER in TCL, histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Serum estrogen level was also measured. Electrodiagnosis and Boston questionnaire were used for CTS severity and determination of the patients' function. RESULTS: ER expression in TCL and serum estrogen level were not significantly different in the case group compared to the control group (P = 0.79 and P = 0.88, respectively). Also, there was no correlation between ER expression or serum estrogen level and electrodiagnostic parameters or Boston score. CONCLUSIONS: Sex hormones cannot still be considered as the etiology of idiopathic CTS in postmenopausal women. The role of other factors such as wrist ratio and narrower outlet in females compared to the males should be considered along with hormonal changes.

Evaluation of minichromosome maintenance-3 [MCM3] in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Statement of the Problem: The expression of minichromosome maintenance-3 [MCM3] proteins and their diagnostic value in oral mucosal dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] is not well known.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of minichromosome maintenance 3 [MCM3] as a biomarker for diagnosis of oral premalignant lesions and SCC.

Materials and Method: In this study, 31 oral SCC, 20 dysplastic epithelium and 20 controls were selected and immunohistochemical staining was done for MCM3. ANOVA, Tukey HSD, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the groups and the correlation between different grades

Results: There was increasing trend of MCM3 from control to dysplastic epithelium and from dysplastic epithelium to SCC both in suprabasal layers and in total epithelial layers. MCM3 expression was elevated with increasing the grade of dysplasia, but there was no statistically significant difference [p= 0.93]. The expression was also increased in high grades of SCC compared to lower grades

Conclusion: MCM3 can be used as a useful biomarker in the diagnosis of premalignant lesions and oral SCC

Elastofibroma of the face: a case report

Elastofibroma is a rare neoplasm that characteristically occurs in subscapular area in response to microtrauma. There are some reports of this tumor in other sites of the body but, up till now, there has been no report of elastofibroma in the face. A 20-year-old man presented with a slow growing painless mass in the face without any history of trauma. Histopathologic examination revealed a soft tissue mass composed of eosinophilic fibers admixed with aggregation of fat cells, capillary blood vessels, and fibroblasts. Elastic stain and Masson's trichrome stain confirmed the nature of elastic and collagen fibers. It was a case of elastofibroma in the face

Helicobacter pylori in nasal polyposis

Nasal polyposis is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Recently concern regarding GER or Helicobacter pylori as a possible pathologic cause of nasal polyps has been increasing. The present study was planned to investigate the presence of Helicobacter Pylori in nasal polyps by PCR, rapid Urease test and serology. Case control study. ENT ward of Shiraz, Khalilli Hospital, Iran, April 2006 to March 2008. 37 patients with nasal polyps who had undergone nasal endoscopic sinus surgery and 38 control subjects who had undergone septoplasty and turbinectomy. Biopsy specimens of nasal polyps and inferior turbinates were assessed by PCR and Rapid Urease test. Blood sample of both study and control subjects were evaluated for anti H.pylori Ig G by ELISA. HP status was regarded as positive, if 2 tests were positive. Seropositivity was more common in the patients with nasal polyps [72.97%] than in the control patients [31.57%] [P-value= 0.000] RUT was positive in 9 [24.3%] of 37 patients with nasal polyps, but was not positive in control group [P-value= 0.001]. Only 3 of [8.1%] of 37 patients with nasal polyps were positive for both RUT and ELISA [P-value=0.115]. PCR was negative in all patients and controls. Polypoid tissue can be colonized by some other agents containing a urease enzyme other than Helicobacter Pylori. So, result of RUT can be false positive, and addition test may be performed. In the our study by using PCR, we were not able to confirm presence of Helicobacter pylori in the nasal polyps. However, further epidemiologic studies using different and specific diagnostic tests with control of documented GER is recommended

healing effect of teucrium polium in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in the dog as an animal model

Inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD], which include ulcer-ative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD], are debilitating and chronic disorders with unpredictable courses and complicated treatment measures. Therefore, an efficient treatment protocol seems necessary as therapeutic prophylaxis for these disorders. This study aims to determine the healing effect of Teucrium polium [T. polium] in acetic acid-induced UC in an experimental dog model. From September to December 2010, eight male [20-25 kg] crossbred dogs were used for induction of UC by 6% acetic acid, tran-srectally. After one week, three biopsies [10, 20 and 30 cm proximal to the anal verge] were taken from the colon of each animal for histological studies. In the presence of UC, 400 mg/kg/day of T. polium extract was administered orally and transrectally [via enema] for 30 days in six of the dogs. The remaining two dogs were used as controls and did not receive T. polium. Multiple biopsies were taken 7, 14, and 30 days after discontinuation of T. polium in the same manner as before treatment. After administration of acetic acid, we noted the presence of multiple ulcers, diffuse inflammation, PMN infiltration in the lamina propria, glandular destruction and goblet cell depletion. Treatment with T. polium restored the colonic architecture with an increased number of healthy cells and a reduction in inflammatory cells. Damage of the surface epithelial cells and mucosal layer of the lumen were reversed, which lead to faster ulcer healing. T. polium may be a treatment choice for UC and can broaden the current therapy options for UC

Vocal cord actinomycosis: a case report

Actinomycosis is a systemic chronic bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces Israelii, an anaerobic organism normally resident in the human mouth. However, the actinomycosis of the larynx is very rare, and only about 15 cases have been reported in the literature so far. Most of the cases reported occurred in patients who had previously undergone radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer. Here we report a case of actinomycosis of the larynx in a 14-year-old shepherd boy who was not immunocompromised but had a history of tooth extraction two months prior to admission to the hospital and severe laryngitis one year prior to admission. Laryngeal actinomycosis might be related to poor oral hygiene and mucosal barrier disruption, as well as to being immunocompromised

clinico-pathologic study of 142 orofacial tumors in children and adolescents in Southern Iran

The prevalence, patients' age and sex and the site of the lesions are important factors for diagnosis and they may be different in various populations. The aim of this study was to determine the type and distribution of orofacial tumors among children and adolescents in an Iranian population. In this retrospective, case series study, data about the type, age, sex and site of 142 tumors in patients

Schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain; clinical and therapeutic considerations

Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that arise from Shwann cells of the nerve sheath. Those originating from the sympathetic cervical chain are extremely rare and usually presented as an asymptomatic neck mass. Here were reports a case of schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain in a 32-year-old man who had asymptomatic neck mass for 6 months. But it appeared pulsatile due to the anterior displacement of carotid sheath by the mass and thus mimics are carotid body tumor. As discussed in this report CT scan with contrast is enough for ruling out paraganglioma and imposing extra expense for MRI and angiography is unnecessary. The only rare complication encountered after surgery was Horner's syndrome, which required not treatment

Allergic fungal sinusitis presenting as a paranasal sinus tumor

We present a case of allergic fungal sinusitis [AFB] in a 20-year old man with few months' history of bilateral nasal obstruction and discharge with unilateral proptosis that underwent maxillary antrostomy due to the mass in paranasal sinuses. Histological examination of tissue showed branching fungal hyphae interspersed with allergic mucin without fungal invasion to soft tissue. The patient received local steroid for 4 months and had no problem during follow up. Fungal culture was performed and Bipolaris fungus grew. Although most dematiaceous fungal infections occur in immunocompetent patients, the incorrect diagnosis and insufficient treatment may be life threatening