range of morphological variation of the middle meatus of the nose in cases without clinical sinusitis

Twenty cadaveric head regions were sagitally sectioned and examined for the anatomy of the middle meatus region. Serial coronal CT section [1-3 mm] of fifty persons were done. Twenty five of tehm belong to patients suffering from chronic sinusitis, and the other twenty five of sinusitis-free persons. Selected measures were applied on both cadaveric speciments and coronal CT scans. The results of the present study showed a wide range of anatomical cariations in this region, even in the sinusitis-free. Certain anatomical structures showed marked discrepancy in frequency of variations or its dimensions in patient suffering from chronic sinusitis in relation to sinusitis-free persons. The most important variation in the middle turbinate was the concha bullosa which was present in 28% of sinusitis-free bit it was found in 52% of sinusitis patients. Also, the curvature of the middle turbinate was abnormal in 20% sinusitis patient while no cases of abnormal curvature were recorded in sinusitis-free persons. The distance between the middle turbinate and the bulla ethmoidalis was wider in sinusitis-free persons as it was of mean value 1.9 mm than in sinusitis patients which was of mean value 1.7 mm. As regards the uncinate process, it showed abnormal deflections in 28% of sinusitis-free persons and in 60% of sinusitis patients. Concerning the hiatus semilunaris and the infundibulum, it was found that in sinusitis-free persons the hiatus semilunaris was more wide as it was of mean value 2.7 mm while in sinusitis patients the mean width was 1.4 mm. The infundibulum depth was more shallow in sinusitis-free persons as its mean depth was 5.6 mm, while in sinusitis patients, the mean depth was 6.6 mm. Concerning the bulla ethmoidalis size, it was larger in sinusitis patients as it was of mean value 17 x 7 mm while in sinusitis-free persons, it was of mean value 14 x 6 mm. Haller's cells were detected in 28% of sinusitis-free persons and in 60% of sinusitis patients. As regards the maxillary sinus ostium, it was found that its transverse diameter was of mean value 6 mm in sinusitis-free persons while it was 3.5 mm in patients of sinusitis. Scanning of the anatomical variations and measures in cadavers and sinusitis-free persons could act as an accurate Egyptian guide serving surgical procedures. The higher incidence of variations in certain parts and discrepancy in dimensions of other parts between the sinusitis and non-sinusitis cases may support the theory that emphasizes the role of anatomical variations in the aetiology of chronic sinusitis and consequently may help to settle the controversy around this point

Cytokeratin 20 [CK-20] a prognostic marker in TCC of the bladder

This immunohistochemical study has examined the degree and pattern of expression of a recently identified cytokeratin [CK-20] in 10 cases of normal bladder urothelium and 15 cases of TCC with well documented clinical course, using immunoperoxidase technique. In normal urothelium the expression of CK-20 was found to be differentiation related and confined to the superficial highly differentiated "umbrella" cells. Correlation of the expression of CK-20 with the clinical course in TCC of the bladder revealed that 85.71 of superficial bladder tumour with good outcome had retained a high degree of expression of CK-20: in the surface cell layer, whereas 80% of muscle invasive tumours, with aggressive clinical course, showed negative expression of the antigen. These observations suggest that the degree and pattern of expression of CK-20 is parallel to the outcome of the tunour. which may make CK-20 a useful prognositc marker in TCC of the bladder. There was another group which showed heterogenous pattern of expression of CK-20. This group was represented mainly by 3 cases of T1 tunours and who had one or more recurrences during the period of follow-up

Decalin nephrotoxicity in albino rats electron microscopic and biochemical study

Decalin was daily administered to adult albino rats of both sexes in 2 dose levels [0.5 g and 1 g/kg b. wt.] by oral gavage. Dosing was continued for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Placebo groups received oral corn oil which was used as a vehicle for decalin. All the rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose except in the 3-week groups where half the rats were killed 1 week after the last dose. Serum was tested for BUN and creatinine levels and the kidneys were weighed and then subjected to light and electron microscopic examination. Both biochemical and pathological results showed that decalin induced nephrotoxicity after 1 week exposure. Further administration revealed decline of these changes in both low and high dose groups. In the 3-week high dose group, exacerbation of nephrotoxicity occurred as shown by the highly significant increase of serum BUN and exaggeration of the pathological changes. The most prominent feature of decalin nephrotoxicity was the presence of hyaline droplets in the PCT cells being dose and time related. Other changes in PCT cells and glomeruli were also detected. Stopping administration of decalin showed definite decline of both biochemical and pathological changes