ABSTRACT
Until now only limited and controversial data are available concerning the presence of steroid hormone receptors in the human vocal fold. A sum of 140 slides from 104 patients were investigated including 25 Reinke's edemas, 19 cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, 19 polyps, 10 epithelial hyperplasias without or with dysplasias, 4 carcinomas in situ, 20 laryngeal carcinomas as well as 7 fresh cadaver samples without macroscopic alterations. The median patient age was 58 years. Paraffin-embedded tissue was incubated with monoclonal antibodies for estrogen-alpha, androgen and progesterone. Androgen receptors were expressed most frequently, followed by estrogen receptors, whereas no progesterone receptors were identified. Receptor staining could be detected with different densities and locations within the different vocal fold pathologies, but not in the autopsy samples. Our study could clearly demonstrate the presence of hormone receptors in the human vocal fold. Androgen receptors were most frequently detected, especially in the basal and intermediate layer of the stratified epithelium and the lamina propria. Whether the high incidence of steroid hormone receptors in some vocal fold pathologies has implications on their pathogenesis must be evaluated by further studies.
Subject(s)
Receptors, Androgen/metabolism , Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism , Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism , Vocal Cords/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Laryngeal Diseases/metabolism , Laryngeal Diseases/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Vocal Cords/pathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological analysis of injury patterns and mechanisms help in identifying the expertise that military surgeons need in a combat setting and also in adjusting training requirements accordingly. This paper attempts to assess the surgical specialties and skills of particular importance in the management of casualties in crisis areas. METHODS: MEDLINE (1949-2007) and Google search were used. Causes of death among casualties in Afghanistan and the Iraq war were analyzed. RESULTS: The leading causes of injury were explosive devices, gunshot wounds, aircraft crashes, and terrorist attacks. Of the casualties, 55% died in hostile action and 45% in nonhostile incidents. Chest or abdominal injuries (40%) and brain injuries (35%) were the main causes of death for soldiers killed in action. The case fatality rate in Iraq was approximately half as high as in the Vietnam War. In contrast, the amputation rate was twice as high. Approximately 8-15% of the deaths appeared to be preventable. CONCLUSIONS: Military surgeons must have excellent skills in the fields of thoracic, visceral, and vascular surgery as well as practical skills in neurosurgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. It also is of vital importance to ensure the availability of sufficient medical evacuation capabilities. Furthermore, there is a need for a standardized registration system for all injuries similar to the German Trauma Registry.
