Could Eosinophilia predict clinical severity in nasal polyps?

BACKGROUND: Although nasal polyps are one of the most frequent diseases, their etiopathogenesis remains unclear.Since eosinophils are the main inflammatory cells in the substantial proportion of nasal polyp tissues, they are considered potentially responsible for the etiopathogenesis and prognosis of the disease. Aim of this study was to investigate the relation between mucosal and peripheral eosinophilia and their relation with disease severity in nasal polyps. METHODS: The study included 53 patients with nasal polyps who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. Preoperative Lund-MacKay computed tomography (CT) scores and the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores of the patients were recorded. Nasal polyp tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, eosinophil counts were performed using high-power field (HPF, 400×) under the light microscope, and the patients were grouped as those with high mucosal eosinophil count and those with low mucosal eosinophil count. RESULTS: The mean Lund-MacKay CT score and the mean Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score were higher in the patients with high mucosal eosinophil count than in those with low mucosal eosinophil count. Likewise, the mean Lund-MacKay CT score and the mean Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores were significantly higher in the patients with high peripheral eosinophil count than in those with low peripheral eosinophil count (p < 0.05 for both). Moreover, the mean peripheral eosinophil count was significantly higher in the patients with high mucosal eosinophil count than in those with low mucosal eosinophil count (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mucosal and peripheral eosinophilia can be used as a marker to predict disease severity in nasal polyps.

The protective effect of curcumin administration on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the protective effect of curcumin (CUR) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity to evaluate the detailed mechanisms by which CUR exerts its protective action. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar-Albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into three groups: administrations of olive oil (control, po), CCl4 (0.5mg/kg in olive oil sc) every other day for 3 weeks, and CCl4 (0.5mg/kg in olive oil sc) plus CUR (200mg/kg) every day for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Administration of CCl4 significantly (p<0.001) increased the levels of renal function test such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Furthermore, treatment of CCl4 significantly elevated the oxidant status of renal tissues while decreasing its anti-oxidant status (p<0.001). CUR displayed a renal protective effect as evident by significant decrease in inflammation and apoptosis during histopathological examination. The administration of CCl4 resulted in an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production due to an increase in membrane lipid peroxidation; however, the administration of CUR attenuated this, probably via its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. CONCLUSION: The finding of our study indicates that CUR may have an important role to play in protecting the kidney from oxidative insult.

An unexpected cause of hemoptysis: endobronchial lipomatous hamartoma.

Hamartomas are the most common benign tumors of the lung. Endobnronchial hamartomas are even rarer and infrequently causes hemoptysis. We report a case of endobronchial hamartoma that was originating from a segment bronchus and invisible in chest X-ray. A 63-year-old man was admitted to hospital with hemoptysis. A CT scan revealed endobronchial mass obstructing anterior bronchus of the right lower lob of the right lung. It wasn't radiographically presented. Flexible bronchoscopy detected a polypoid mass (1.5 x 1.0 cm) that arising from the posterior wall of the anterior segment of right lower lob. Histopathologic examination revealed lipoumatous hamartoma. It was resected with an electro-surgical snare. Cryotherapy was applied to residual lesion on surface of the bronchus. The patient was successfully recovered. In conclusion, lipoumatous hamartoma may presented as rare cause of hemoptysis. Endoscopic treatment is safe and currently modality used for select cases.

Symptomatic duodenal lipoma with endoscopic snare polypectomy.

Duodenal lipomas are extremely rare benign tumors. 90% arise from the submucosa and is usually localized in the second portion. They are usually asymptomatic and are detected incidentally during endoscopy or surgery. Appearance of symptoms are related to lesion size, those greater than four centimeters frequently may cause intussusception, obstruction or bleeding. A 59- year-old woman presented with complaints of abdominal fullness in the upper quadrants after meals, and heartburn symptoms. She had been under treatment for iron deficiency anemia during the last five months. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a mobile, 4×2 cm polypoid mass extending from the second portion of the duodenum to the third portion, with a regular mucosa and wide pedicle. Saline and epinephrine was injected to polyp base and "snare" polypectomy was performed. Patient's complaint of fullness in the upper part of the abdomen declined after polypectomy and the treatment of anemia was discontinued after a month, with normal blood count values in the fourth month.