Development and Use of a Pneumoconiosis Database of Human Pulmonary Inorganic Particulate Burden in Over 400 Lungs

Over 400 cases with data from in situ electron microprobe quantitation of non-fibrous inorganic particles (e.g., silica, alumino-silicates, talc, metals) in pulmonary tissue sections, and data from quantitative digestion analyses for fiber content (e.g., asbestos, silica, alumino-silicates, man-made fibers, talc) comprise an extensive microcomputer data set of lung particle burden. When allied with demographic and histopathologic information the result is a comprehensive database of occupational pulmonary pathology. Examples of the kinds of information which can be extracted from the database include: 1) summary information on the types sizes and associations of particles in lungs with a variety of exposures, 2) concentrations of etiologic particle type in cases with recognized pneumoconioses, and 3) correlations between particle type, pathology, occupation and social history. The database provides a powerful tool for assessing such information on statistically meaningful sample sets

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD)/Pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint – FNA findings and microanalysis

We report a case of a Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD) presenting as a mass in the parotid and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that simulated a parotid tumor. A 35 year-old man presented with pain in the left ear area. A CT Scan of the area showed a large, calcified mass surrounding the left condylar head, and extending into the infratemporal fossa. FNA of the mass showed birefringent crystals, most of which were rhomboid with occasional ones being needle shaped, embedded in an amorphous pink substance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of these crystals showed peaks corresponding to calcium and phosphorus. SEM/EDS is a rapid method of diagnosing calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD) and an alternative to more commonly used method of special staining of cell block sections coupled with polarizing microscopy

Sequence of bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathologic findings in rat lungs early in inhalation asbestos exposure

To assess the early cellular inflammatory response of the lungs, 7 rats per group were exposed nose-only to 13 mg/m3 of chrysotile asbestos, 7 h/day for 2, 4, or 6 wk. Lung histopathology and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were analyzed. In exposed animals, dose-related bronchiolitis and fibrosis were found that were not seen in control rats (p less than 0.001). In exposed rats, total BAL cells were increased six-to sevenfold over matched controls, and more cells were retrieved with longer exposure (p less than 0.001). In the BAL, counts of macrophages, lymphocytes, and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were each elevated in the exposed rats (each p less than 0.001). PMNs seen histologically and in the BAL may be related to the time period examined. PMNs and lymphocytes observed throughout this 6-wk study support the idea that these cells may have an important role in the early events of asbestos lung injury

Mesothelioma among workers in asbestiform fiber-bearing talc mines in New York State

Asbestos-related disease among talc miners and millers in a group of mines in two counties of northern New York State has been noted and disputed since the 1930s. One of the two counties was identified as among the 10 in the USA with the highest mesothelioma mortality up to 1981 for both men and women. Eight talc miners had been identified in previous studies as having mesothelioma. In the current study we: (i) report five new cases of mesothelioma among talc workers; (ii) present the results of and demonstrate the similarity between lung fiber burden analyses for selected cases and controls; and (iii) update mesothelioma mortality in this district using demographic and cause of death cancer information from 1950 to 1997. Our results indicate that New York talc exposure is associated with mesothelioma, and deserves further public health attention

Analysis of Schwalbe′s Line (Limbal Smooth Zone) by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography in Human Eye Bank Eyes

Purpose: Implantation of intraocular devices may become critical as they decrease in size in the future. Therefore, it is desirable to evaluate the relationship between radial location and Schwalbe′s line (smooth zone) by examining its width with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to correlate this with observations by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Full corneoscleral rings were obtained from twenty-six formalin-fixed human phakic donor eyes. SEM of each eye yielded a complete montage of the smooth zone, from which the area was measured, and width was determined in each quadrant. In three different eyes, time domain anterior segment OCT (Visante, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) and spectral domain OCT (Cirrus 4.0, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) were used to further characterize Schwalbe′s line. Results: The overall smooth zone width was 79±22 μm, (n=15) ranging from 43 to 115 μm. The superior quadrant (103±8 μm, n=19), demonstrated significantly wider smooth zone than both the nasal (71±5 μm, n=19, P0.05). SEM findings of the smooth zone were correlated with visualization of Schwalbe′s line by Cirrus and Visante OCT imaging. Conclusion: The smooth zone appears widest superiorly and thinnest inferonasally, suggesting that as glaucoma surgical devices become smaller, their placement could be targeted clinically by using OCT with preference to the superior quadrant, to minimize damage to the corneal endothelium

Massive Silicone-Induced Orbital Granuloma

We report a large subconjunctival-orbital granuloma in a 51-year-old male presenting with a blind painful right eye and marked chemosis 15 months after undergoing vitrectomy and silicone oil retinal tamponade for retinal detachment with no reported intraoperative complications. Gross and histopathologic examination of the enucleated eye and episcleral tumor revealed a bosselated mass measuring 17 × 10 × 5 mm containing prominent vacuoles with surrounding epithelioid histiocytes and foreign body multinucleated giant cells. Such a large silicone-induced orbital granuloma following uncomplicated retinal surgery in a grossly intact eye has not been previously reported to the authors' knowledge. High intraocular pressure and emulsification of oil may facilitate silicone extravasation through scleral wounds after retinal surgery