Quantitative morphology in canine cutaneous soft tissue sarcomas.

Stained cytological specimens from 24 dogs with spontaneous soft tissue sarcomas [fibrosarcoma (n = 8), liposarcoma (n = 8) and haemangiopericytoma (n = 8)], and 24 dogs with reactive connective tissue lesions [granulation tissue (n = 12) and dermal fibrosis (n = 12)] were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. The studied morphometric parameters were: mean nuclear area (MNA; µm(2)), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP; µm), mean nuclear diameter (MND mean; µm), minimum nuclear diameter (Dmin; µm) and maximum nuclear diameter (Dmax; µm). The study aimed to evaluate (1) possibility for quantitative differentiation of soft tissue sarcomas from reactive connective tissue lesions and (2) by using cytomorphometry, to differentiate the various histopathological soft tissue sarcomas subtypes in dogs. The mean values of all nuclear cytomorphometric parameters (except for Dmax) were statistically significantly higher in reactive connective tissue processes than in soft tissue sarcomas. At the same time, however, there were no considerable differences among the different sarcoma subtypes. The results demonstrated that the quantitative differentiation of reactive connective tissue processes from soft tissue sarcomas in dogs is possible, but the same was not true for the different canine soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. Further investigations on this topic are necessary for thorough explication of the role of quantitative morphology in the diagnostics of mesenchymal neoplasms and tumour-like fibrous lesions in dogs.

Nuclear morphometry in cytological specimens of canine ceruminous adenomas and carcinomas.

Stained cytological specimens from eight canine ceruminous adenomas and eight canine ceruminous carcinomas were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. Three carcinomas had metastases in regional lymph nodes at the time of the diagnosis. The morphometric parameters evaluated in this study were mean nuclear area (MNA, µm(2) ), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP, µm), mean nuclear diameter (D mean, µm), minimum nuclear diameter (D min, µm) and maximum nuclear diameter (D max, µm). The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between canine ceruminous adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in canine ceruminous carcinomas. The results indicated that (1) MNA, MNP, D mean, D min and D max could be used as effective auxiliary tools for differential diagnosis between canine ceruminous adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) MNA, MNP, D mean and D max are reliable prognostic indicators for canine ceruminous adenocarcinomas.

Nuclear cytomorphometry in feline mammary gland epithelial tumours.

Stained cytological specimens from 35 feline mammary gland epithelial tumours (4 adenomas, 11 tubulopapillary carcinomas 13 solid carcinomas and 7 cribriform carcinomas) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured, and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND) and nuclear roundness (NR) were calculated. The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between benign and malignant feline mammary gland epithelial tumours, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in feline mammary carcinomas. The results indicated that MNA, MNP, MND and NR could be a useful adjunct in diagnosis but are not reliable prognostic indicators for feline mammary gland carcinomas.

Computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in the cytological evaluation of canine perianal adenocarcinomas.

Stained cytological specimens from 18 canine perianal adenocarcinomas were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in order to evaluate the prognostic value of this technique. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic hepatoid cells were measured and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (D mean), maximum nuclear diameter (D max) and minimum nuclear diameter (D min) were calculated. There were significant differences in all of these parameters when non-metastatic tumours were compared with tumours in which lymph node metastasis had been identified. A statistically significant correlation was found between the survival period of the dogs and MNA, MNP, D max and D mean. The age of the dog, diameter of the tumour and presence of nodal metastasis were also correlated with survival, but there was no correlation with breed, sex or D min. These results indicate that MNA, MNP, D max and D min may be used as prognostic indicators for canine perianal adenocarcinoma.

Use of quantitative analysis as a method for differentiation between canine cutaneous apocrine adenomas and apocrine carcinomas on cytological smears.

Eight canine cutaneous adenomas and eight canine cutaneous carcinomas were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured, and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND) and nuclear roundness (NR) were calculated. The results indicated an increase in the mean values of investigated parameters from canine cutaneous apocrine adenomas (MNA, 75.65+/-2.22; MNP, 31.05+/-0.55; MND, 9.62+/-0.14; NR, 1.10+/-0.009) to canine cutaneous apocrine carcinomas (MNA, 88.78+/-11.29; MNP, 34.38+/-2.43; MND, 10.43+/-0.76; NR, 1.21+/-0.07). The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplastic cells (P<0.01). The statistical differences between investigated parameters (P<0.01) were also found between the metastasizing apocrine carcinomas and all other examined carcinomas. The results indicated that the computerized morphometry could be used as an effective auxiliary tool for differential diagnosis between canine cutaneous adenomas and carcinomas on cytological smears.

Computerized cytomorphometric analysis of nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter in spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours.

Fifty-two spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours (fibroadenomas (n=8), tubulopapillary carcinomas (n=9), solid carcinomas (n=6), anaplastic carcinomas (n=7), fibrosarcomas (n=9), liposarcomas (n=9) and osteosarcomas (n=4) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. Computerized cytomorphometry was performed and the nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter of investigated tumours were assessed. A minimum of 100 nuclei per lesion were examined. The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplasms. The results indicated that computer-assisted nuclear morphometry could be used as an additional method for differentiation of benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumours in cytological specimens.

[Audiometric and dynamometric parameters of functional brain asymmetry].

We examined influence of intensive noise on auditory and musculoskeletal system in series of audiometric and dynamometric tests. We considered Karhart's tooth asymmetry and asymmetry of muscular strength of the upper extremities. We demonstrate the significance of these parameters in diagnosis of functional cortical asymmetry and central hearing pathology; provide audiometric and dynamometric evidence of the structure of cortical auditory pathways, the integral function of the auditory cortex, pathophysiological nature of functional asymmetry and their correlation.

Papillary ovarian cystadenocarcinoma in a dog.

An 11-year-old female German Shepherd dog was presented for investigation of progressive enlargement of the abdomen, periodic bloody discharge from the vulva and rapid exhaustion. Transabdominal ultrasonography and lateral abdominal radiography demonstrated an echogenic formation with anechogenic cavities located cranial to the urinary bladder and a homogeneous shadow with an elliptical shape was located caudal to the rib arc. Both showed indistinct borders. Exploratory laparotomy identified bilateral ovarian masses and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed ovarian cystadenocarcinoma. The dog remained clinically normal without evidence of metastatic disease 4 months after surgery. Papillary cystadenocarcinoma in the bitch could affect both ovaries and manifests with a rapid growth rate and clinical signs such as rapid exhaustion, abdominal enlargement and vulval discharge. Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment option.

Experimental cadmium poisoning in sheep.

Pathomorphological investigations of internal organs were made in sheep given sublethal doses of cadmium. Early histological damages in kidneys were established by renal biopsy in some experimental animals. The main histological changes were characterized by granular degeneration in proximal tubules and glomerular endothelial proliferation in kidneys, granular degeneration in hepatocytes, pericapillary oedema and activation of capillary endothelium and Kupffer cells in liver, oedematous and degenerative changes in cerebrum and in the region of Purkinje cells of cerebellum, hyperplasia and proliferation of alveolar epithelium and perivascular or peribronchial mononuclear cell infiltration in lung, and degenerative changes in the medulla and zona glomerulosa of adrenal glands.

Organ-sparing treatment of invasive transitional cell bladder carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of two approaches of organ-sparing treatment in patients with invasive transitional cell bladder carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the period from June 1996 to June 2000, 33 patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma (T2-4) of the bladder were treated. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 17 patients treated with CMV systemic chemotherapy (methotrexate 30 mg/m(2) and vinblastine 3 mg/m(2), day 1; and cisplatin 70 mg/ m(2), day 2) repeated every 3 weeks for 3 courses, combined with intravesical BCG. Complete responders (CR) received maintenance intravesical BCG, while partial responders (PR) were subjected to transurethral bladder resection (TURB) or partial bladder resection. Group B included 16 patients treated with maximal TURB followed by 2 CMV courses and radiotherapy. RESULTS: Group A patients have been followed-up for a period of 7 to 48 months (median 21.6 months). After completing the 2nd chemotherapy course, 2 patients refused further treatment and were excluded from the group. On completing chemoimmunotherapy 11 (73%) patients showed objective response (CR+PR) and preservation of the bladder was achieved. Four (27%) patients were treatment failures. Group B patients have been followed for a period of 9 to 47 months (median 27.5 months). On completing treatment 12 of 16 (75%) patients showed an objective response with preservation of the bladder. Treatment failure was diagnosed in 4 (25%) patients. The 2 groups differed significantly in terms of side-effects, which were more pronounced in Group B patients. Of the late complications in Group B a serious problem was the development of severe radiation-induced fibrosis leading to microcystis and a cystectomy was indispensable in one of the patients. CONCLUSION: The applied 2 approaches of combined organ-sparing treatment of invasive bladder carcinoma seem equally effective. Future randomized studies are needed to define reliable criteria for patient selection.