Inflammatory pseudotumors of the paranasal sinuses

Pseudotumor inflamatório pode ser definido como uma lesão que simula neoplasia clínica e radiologicamente. Não se trata de uma entidade clínico-patológica única, mas um termo genérico para qualquer lesão expansiva inflamatória crônica inespecífica. Há poucos relatos de pseudotumor inflamatório em cavidade nasal e seios paranasais. RELATO DE CASOS: Apresentamos três casos de pseudotumor inflamatório em nariz e seios paranasais atendidos na Divisão de Clínica Otorrinolaringológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. DISCUSSÃO: Pseudotumor inflamatório de seios paranasais apresenta sintomatologia variável conforme o local de origem. Geralmente, segue curso benigno, porém pode ser localmente agressivo.Inflammatory pseudotumors may be defined as lesions that clinically and radiologically simulate neoplasms. These tumor are not a single clinical-pathological entity, but rather a generic term applied to any nonspecific, chronic, inflammatory expanding lesion. There are few reports of inflammatory pseudotumors in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. CASE REPORT: We report three cases of inflammatory pseudotumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses seen at the Division of Otolaryngology of the Medical School University Hospital, Sao Paulo University. DISCUSSION: Inflammatory pseudotumors of the paranasal sinuses present a variety of symptoms according to the site

The role of endoscopic surgery in the treatment of nasal inverted papilloma

SummaryThe inverted papilloma is a benign neoplasm, prone to malignancy, and bearing a high rate of post-op recurrence. There is much debate in the literature concerning the issue that an endoscopic approach may offer a benefit over an external approach.AimDemonstrate the efficacy of an endonasal endoscopic approach in the treatment of inverted papilloma.Study designRetrospective.Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with inverted papilloma operated at the University Hospital - FMUSP from 1994 to 2004.ResultsTwenty-eight patients' records were studied. Nine patients (32.1%) had tumor recurrence, one being operated via the endoscopic method and eight by external approach.DiscussionKrouse's staging system for inverted papillomas can facilitate both treatment planning and comparison of surgical outcomes. The use of the endoscopic approach resulted in fewer relapses than when the external one was used in cases with the same tumor staging.ConclusionThe use of the endoscope in this type of surgical treatment is an important success factor in the treatment of inverted papilloma

Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features

SummaryLuffa operculata is the botanical name of buchinha-do-norte or cabacinha, which is a medicinal plant widely used for the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. In Europe and USA, it is available in homeopathic medicines. In Brazil, Luffa operculata dry fruit infusion is inhaled or instilled into the nose releasing profuse mucous secretion, thus relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this often may cause irritation, epistaxis or anosmia.Study designExperimental.Material and MethodThe effects of Luffa operculata were evaluated in different concentration infusions, in isolated frog palate preparation, testing 46 palates after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested with the infusion prepared with frog Ringer (isotonic): control; 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using the infusion with water (600 mg/L H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested to be studied under light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy.ResultsIn treated palates, light microscopy findings were dose-dependent standard toxic changes. Electron transmission microscopy showed enlargement of intercellular spaces and tight junctions disruption, pointing to ion-fluid transport abnormalities. Conclusions: Luffa operculata infusion in currently used doses can promote significant structural and ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of this ex vivo model of respiratory mucosa

Inquérito de toxoplasmose e de tripanossomíases realizado no Território do Amapá pela III Bandeira Científica do Centro Acadêmico "Oswaldo Cruz" da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo

The survey was performed in three localities, in January 1962, and included inhabitants with 10 or more years of age and who had never left the Amazon Region.The Sabin-Feldman dye test was positive in 68.1 percent of 354 persons examined and the intradermal test with toxoplasmin in 46.4 percent of 366. The distribution of positive tests by locality, age, sex and race are presented.Through the complement fixation test for Chagas' disease (Guerreiro and Machado's test) performed in 353 persons and the xenodiagnosis in 116, no evidence of trypanosome infection was found.A severe malária outbreak which was occurring in the region is discussed.Descreve-se uma excursão realizada em janeiro de 1962 por estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo ao Território do Amapá, onde realizaram inquéritos de toxoplasmose e tripanossomíase na cidade de Macapá e nas vilas de Paredão e Ferreira Gomes.A reação de Sabin-Feldman foi positiva em 68,1 % das 354 pessoas examinadas e a intradermorreação com toxoplasmina em 46,4% de 366. A distribuição das provas positivas é apresentada por localidade, sexo, idade e côr.A reação de fixação do complemento para doença de Chagas (prova de Guerreiro e Machado, técnica quantitativa), feita em 353 pessoas, não apresentou nenhum resultado seguramente positivo, sendo ainda negativos os 116 xenodiagnósticos efetuados com ninfas de triatomíneos (Rhodnius prolixus).Fazem-se ainda considerações sobre o intenso surto de malária que ocorria então na região

Pleomorphic adenoma of maxillary sinus - a case report

Introduction: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common head and neck benign glandular tumor. Pleomorphic adenoma of the maxillary sinus has rarely been described in the literature. Objective: To report a case of a patient with a unilateral nasal mass, originated from the maxillary sinus, with histopathological diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. Case Report: A.O.V., 55-year-old male Caucasian patient, who had been suffering from nasal obstruction for years and also presented a polypoid mass in the left nasal cavity. Patient was submitted to endoscopic tumor resection and diagnosed of pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusion: Although pleomorphic adenoma is a rare type of tumor, it is benign, and it must be distinguished from other nasal tumors associated with chronic nasal complaints

Tumor microenvironmental genomic alterations in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Background To better characterize the pathophysiology of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA), endothelial and stromal cells were evaluated by genomic imbalances in association with transcript expression levels of genes mapped on these altered regions. Methods. High-resolution comparative genomic hybridization (HR-CGH) was used in laser-captured endothelial and stromal cells from 9 JNAs. Ten genes were evaluated by quantitative real-timereverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 15 cases. Results. Although gains were more frequently detected in endothelial cells, 57% of chromosomal alterations were common by both components. Gene expression analyses revealed a positive correlation between endothelial and stromal components for ASPM, CDH1, CTNNB1, FGF18, and SUPT16H. A significant difference was found for FGF18 and AURKB overexpression in stromal cells and AR down-expression in endothelial cells. Conclusions. A similar pattern of gene expression and chromosomal imbalances in both exponents would suggest a common mechanism of functional regulation. AURKB, FGF18, and SUPT16H were identified as potential molecular markers in JNA. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 34: 485-492, 2012Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), BrazilConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brazi

Genetic alterations in Ki-ras and Ha-ras genes in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas and head and neck cancer

CONETXT: Ras gene mutations have been associated to a wide range of human solid tumors. Members of the ras gene family (Ki-ras, Ha-ras and N-ras) are structurally related and code for a protein (p21) known to play an important role in the regulation of normal signal transduction and cell growth. The frequency of ras mutations is different from one type of tumor to another, suggesting that point mutations might be carcinogen-specific. OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence of Ki-ras and Ha-ras mutations. We also studied the relative level of Ha-ras mRNA in 32 of the head and neck tumors. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University referral unit. PARTICIPANTS: 60 head and neck tumors and in 28 Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas (JNA). DIAGNOSTIC TEST: Using PCR-SSCP we examined the occurrence of Ki-ras and Ha-ras mutations. The relative level of Ha-ras mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: None of the head and neck tumors or JNA samples showed evidence of mutations within codons 12, 13, 59 and 61 of Ki-ras or Ha-ras genes. However, 17 (53%) of the tumors where gene expression could be examined exhibited increased levels of Ha-ras mRNA compared with the normal tissue derived from the same patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate for the first time that mutations of Ki-ras and Ha-ras genes are not associated with the development of JNA and confirm previous reports indicating that activating ras mutations are absent or rarely involved in head and neck tumors from western world patients. Furthermore, our findings suggest that overexpression of Ha-ras, rather than mutations, might be an important factor in the development and progression of head and neck tumors

Markers of vascular differentiation, proliferation and tissue remodeling in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas

Juvenile nasopharingeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a histologically benign locally aggressive tumor characterized by irregular vessels embedded. in a fibrous stroma. Excessive vascularity results in bleeding complications, and the inhibition of angiogenesis is a promising strategy for managing extensive JNA tumors. To better characterize the endothelial components of JNA, we aimed to evaluate markers of vascular differentiation and proliferation, such as friend leukemia integration-1 (FLI-1) and endoglin, lymphatic markers, including podoplanin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) and its cognate ligand VEGFC, GLUT-1, a diagnostic marker that discriminates between hemangiomas and vascular malformations, and two markers of tissue remodeling, stromelysin 3 (ST3) and secreted acid protein rich in cysteine (SPARC). Antigens were assessed immunohistochemically in vessels and stromal cells of JNA archival cases (n=22). JNA endothelial cells were positive for endoglin, VEGFC and FLI-1, whereas podoplanin and VEGFR3 were negative in all cases. Both endothelial cells and fibroblasts stained for ST3 and SPARC. GLUT-1 was investigated in JNA cases, in infantile hemangiomas (n=123) and in vascular malformations (n=135) as controls. JNAs and vascular malformations were GLUT-1-negative, while hemangiomas showed positive staining. The presence of markers of endothelial differentiation and proliferation highlighted the hyper-proliferative state of JNA vessels. The absence of podoplanin and VEGFR3 underscores their blood endothelial cell characteristic. The absence of GLUT-1 discriminates JNAs from hemangiomas. ST3 and SPARC up-regulation in endothelial cells and fibroblasts may contribute to a compensatory signaling for controlling angiogenesis. Some of these markers may eventually serve as therapeutic targets. Our results may aid in the understanding of JNA pathophysiology.CNPqFAPES