ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed major tobacco smoking-related disease, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, particularly among the younger population. METHODOLOGY: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of cigarette smoke on lung epithelial cells. RESULTS: This was a cross-sectional case-control study involving 300 apparently healthy volunteers living in Ha'il, Northern Saudi Arabia. Cigarette smokers (N = 100) were used as cases, and non-smokers (N = 200) were used as controls. A sputum specimen was obtained from each participant, employing all necessary safety precautions and sample adequacy measures. RESULTS: Among 300 study subjects, cytologic atypia was identified in 14/300 (4.7%). Among the 14 cases with atypical cytologic changes, 13/14 (92.9%) were in smokers and 1/14 (7.1%) was in a non-smoker. The risk of lung cytologic atypia associated with cigarette smoking, was OR (95% CI) = 29.73 (3.82-230.87), P = 0.0001. Out of 300 study subjects, metaplasia was identified in 45/300 (15%). Among 45 cases with metaplastic changes, 26/45 (57.8%) were in the smokers and 19/45 (42.2%) were in non-smokers. The risk of lung epithelial metaplasia associated with cigarette smoking was OR (95% CI) = 3.34 (1.74-6.41), P = 0.0003. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk for developing lung epithelial atypia, lung metaplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltrate (especially chronic inflammation). Sputum cytology is a simple, non-invasive method that can be used in screening at-risk populations for early detection of lung proliferative changes associated with tobacco smoking.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pediatric lymphadenopathy is a challenging medical situation for the child patient, the parents, and the physician. Although the bulk of masses will be benign the fear of malignancy is omnipresent. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the common cytopathological patterns of lymphadenopathy among Sudanese children. METHODS: One hundred pediatric patients presenting with peripheral lymphadenopathy were included in the study, their ages ranging from 2 to 14 years, with a mean age of 7 years. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and FNA materials were prospectively obtained. RESULTS: FNA was performed in 100 cases (100%). There were no technical complications. All cases confirmed adequacy of specimen. Overall, FNA demonstrated 90 (90%) benign lesions and 10 (10%) malignant diagnosis. The benign lesions were reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n=64), followed by benign granulomatous disease (n=26). Of the 10 cases diagnosed with malignancy, 7 (7%) were cases of non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma and the remaining 3 (3%) were Hodgkin's lymphomas. CONCLUSION: Pediatric lymphadenopathy is common in Sudan. CLA is the common frequent site. Lymphoma represents a major challenge in this setting.
