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Biomedical subjects

H Hellquist

Publications and source records attributed to H Hellquist.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

The role of smear cytology in laryngeal diagnosis.

There may be great difficulty especially in diffuse lesions, in obtaining representative laryngeal biopsy specimens. Therefore the reliability of laryngeal smear cytology was evaluated in comparison with the histologic diagnosis. The cytologic specimens were taken during 520 microlaryngoscopic examinations (direct technique). The sensitivity of the direct cytologic method in the detection of moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia-carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma was 45% (17/38), 83% (59/71), and 93% (137/147), respectively. A false negative cytologic reading was more frequent after radiotherapy. The specificity of the direct cytologic technique in the detection of histologically "benign" lesions was 80% (210/264). In 23 patients cytologic smears were obtained at mirror laryngoscopy (indirect technique). Both the direct and indirect cytologic tests are easy to perform, quick, and may be of diagnostic value in laryngeal diagnosis, especially in screening examinations. However, cytology cannot supersede the histological examination of biopsy specimens.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1981

HISTOSCAN: computer program for cytophotometry in tissue sections and its application in the evaluation of nuclear atypia.

The grading of nuclear atypia has a great and well recognized value when predicting the malignancy of neoplastic processes. Although the basic criteria for the grading are generally agreed upon, in the individual case, the final judgement is to some extent still a matter of subjectivity, which naturally impairs reproducibility. The present paper describes a method for quantification of variability of nuclear size and Feulgen-stainability. By plotting the mean optical density against the area value in a scatter-diagram, a cluster is obtained, the size of which reflects the degree of nuclear atypia. The measurements are performed in tissue sections using stage scanning cytophotometry. A computer program--HISTOSCAN--has been developed which enables measurements in highly cellular tissues. The system is also insensitive to the influence of light scattering, a factor of importance when measuring in tissue sections. The performance of the program is tested in both imprints and tissue sections.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Toluidine blue. An aid in the microlaryngoscopic diagnosis of glottic lesions?

The value of toluidine blue staining in vivo in the diagnosis of glottic lesions was examined by comparing the results obtained in a series with the histological findings. This material included 272 biopsy specimens from the vocal cords (202 microlaryngoscopic examinations). In 148 of these, the changes were classified as "malignant" (moderate and severe dysplasia and carcinoma) and in 124 as "benign." The sensitivity of the staining test in detection of malignant lesions was 91%. Among 13 false-negative results (9% of the malignant group), there was keratosis in 11. The overall specificity of the staining tests was 52%. The false-positive lesions displayed "benign" pathological alterations, such as inflammation and ulceration. False-positive findings were more common after radiotherapy. A correct diagnosis of malignancy on the basis of positive staining was more frequent the greater the intensity of staining.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx.

A chondrosarcoma arising in the posterior cricoid plate is presented. The tumour gave rise to increasing inspiratory stridor: laryngectomy was performed. The tumour consisted of loose cartilaginous tissue with great predominance of highly differentiated cartilage cells and only small areas with nuclear polymorphism. This complicated the differential diagnosis between chondroma and highly differentiated chondrosarcoma. From the fact that the patient died from massive pulmonary metastases 3 1/2 years later, it is evident that the degree of malignancy of cartilaginous tumours should be determined even on small polymorphic foci. The DNA histogram for the foci of the laryngeal tumour with atypia differed distinctly from those for benign chondroma and normal cartilage, but resembled those of the pulmonary and splenic metastases and of a nasal chondrosarcoma. Photometric examination may provide an aid in the difficult differential diagnosis between chondroma and highly differentiated chondrosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma↗
PubMed1979

Amyloidosis of the larynx.

Amyloidosis of the larynx is a rare disease, accounting for less than 1% of all benign laryngeal 'tumours'. Three cases of this type of lesion are reported--one of the vocal cord, one of the false vocal cord and one of the subglottis and trachea. In 2 of the patients the amyloidosis was localized, while the third was later found also to have an epipharyngeal solitary plasmacytoma with amyloid deposits and in addition amyloidosis of the nasal cavity. However, the amyloidosis in this patient may still be regarded as being localized, as the clinical examination and laboratory tests afforded no evidence of generalized disease. Amyloidosis of the larynx may be manifested as a localized tumour or as a diffuse infiltration. The symptoms and signs will, of course, depend on the site of the amyloid deposit. When the vocal cords are involved hoarseness may result, and this was the most prominent sign in the present cases. The treatment of laryngeal amyloidosis is primarily by endoscopic excision. Amyloid substance has specific staining properties. The Congo red reaction with a green birefringence in polarized light and Phorwhite BBU using fluorescence microscopy are regarded as the most reliable staining reactions. Electron microscopy has revealed a typical fibrillar structure of amyloid.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Cardiac haemangio-endotheliosarcoma. Review of the literature and report of a case.

A case of primary haemangio-endotheliosarcoma of the right atrium is reported. A review of the literature is given and in all but four of the 56 cases, the tumour originates in the right atrium projecting into the cavity. This explains why these tumours present a rather uniform clinical picture characterized by superior vena caval syndrome combined with pericardial effusion, cardiomegaly, dyspnoea and chest pain. A male dominent sex distribution of 3 to 1 is found. The tumour is highly malignant and has caused death within an average of six months. We emphasize the possibility of early diagnosis particularly since eht clinical symptoms are rather typical and cases are reported where therapy apparently was successful.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The DNA content and nuclear size in normal, dysplastic and carcinomatous laryngeal epithelium. A spectrophotometric study.

The aim of the present study was to obtain a more objective evaluation of nuclear hyperchromasia and polymorphism in laryngeal epithelium. The method is based on a photometric assay of nuclear size and DNA content in Feulgen stained slides. The DNA content of hyperchromatic nuclei should exceed the mean for nuclei of normal epithelium by more than twice the standard deviation. In comparison with lymphocytes (2N) the DNA content in hyperchromatic nuclei corresponds to 3.3 N. The mean DNA contents of normal, dysplastic and carcinomatous laryngeal nuclei were 69, 71 and 118 A.U. The mean nuclear area for normal, dysplastic and carcinomatous epithelial cells were 48, 41 and 73 micrometer2. The higher the degree of atypia displayed by the cells the greater was the variability of the DNA content and the nuclear size. The investigation shows that the method may provide a more objective basis for evaluating hyperchromasia and polymorphism.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photometric evaluation of laryngeal epithelium exhibiting hyperplasia, keratosis and moderate dysplasia.

Photometric examination of vocal cord epithelia disclosed no difference in the nuclear DNA content or nuclear area of normal and keratotic laryngeal epithelia. For 2 out of 3 epithelia displaying hyperplasia the values were slightly elevated. There seem to be no morphologic or photometric grounds for considering either hyperplasia or keratosis to be premalignant. Eight patients with moderate dysplasia were selected; 3 with and 5 without subsequent development of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. In all 8 cases the DNA values were not increased, but in 6 there was an increased variation about the mean. There were no morphologic or photometric differences between the epithelia subsequently developing severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ and those that did not. The 3 patients developing severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ were then followed for 112, 27 and 106 months and showed no evidence of invasive carcinoma. The other 5 patients with moderate dysplasia were followed for 48 to 123 months without any sign of recurrent disease. There are no photometric grounds for considering moderate dysplasia as a precancerous lesion. Long-term investigation is required to ascertain the risk that carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma will develop in patients with laryngeal hyperplasia, keratosis and moderate dysplasia.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal symptoms and histopathology in a group of spray-painters.

Industrial workers more and more frequently seek medical advice for nasal and sinus symptoms that they attribute to occupational exposure. The present study comprised 10 paint-sprayers exposed to solvents (primarily toluene and isobutylacetate) and dust. The working environment was checked by an industrial hygienist and a careful clinical examination including biopsies from the nasal mucosa was carried out. The results revealed prominent nasal symptoms in 3 patients and 4 suffered from cough. The histological examination showed in no case a normal nasal mucosa. The histological grading showed a significantly higher score in the exposed group compared to a matched control group. However, no conclusive connection between the duration of exposure and the clinical symptoms and morphological changes was possible to make, which will necessitate an extended study to evaluate the exact importance of the duration of exposure. The study indicates the possibilities of an early presymptomatic detection of nasal mucosal disturbances and arises the question whether the existing TLVs are adequate in preventing damage to the nasal mucosa and adherent clinical symptoms.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scanning electron microscopy of vocal cord hyperplasia, keratosis, papillomatosis, dysplasia and carcinoma.

The vocal cord fine surface structure was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the observations related to the light-microscopical (LM) findings after embedding and cutting. The SEM micrographs were assessed using a rating system based on 7 parameters. The proportion of "normal" and "abnormal" SEM areas varied within the respective histologic groups. There was, however, a significant difference between the SEM ratings in the group with hyperplasia-keratosis, with or without mild dysplasia, compared to the groups with severe dysplasia-carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. In the small number of cases with moderate dysplasia and juvenile laryngeal papilloma, the SEM ratings displayed pronounced disparity.

Carcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal cuboidal metaplasia with dysplasia. Precursor to adenocarcinoma in wood-dust-exposed workers?

The histological study of the non-tumours nasal mucosa in 22 wood-workers with ethmoidal adenocarcinoma was carried out and special attention was paid to the presence of cuboidal metaplasia with or without dysplasia. The workers had been exposed to wood dust for an average of 38 years (range 18 to 55 years). In 19 cases cuboidal metaplasia was found and 16 of these also had dysplasia. In 10 cases there was a transitional zone with dysplastic cuboidal epithelium in continuity with the tumour. In 5 cases there was squamous metaplasia. The results indicate cuboidal metaplasia with dysplasia being a possible precursor to nasal adenocarcinoma in workers exposed to wood dust, similar to the findings of squamous metaplasia and squamous cell carcinoma in nickel workers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Histological changes in the nasal mucosa in rats after long-term exposure to formaldehyde and wood dust.

Wood dust is a well known nasal carcinogen in man, as formaldehyde is in rats. In certain occupational environments, combined exposure to wood dust and formaldehyde is common. Little is known about the effects of this combination. A pilot study was performed on four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: one exposed to wood dust (25 mg/m3), another to formaldehyde (12.4 ppm) and a third to both wood dust and formaldehyde; the fourth group served a control group. After 104 weeks of exposure the nose and lungs were examined histologically. One well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was found in the formaldehyde group. Squamous cell metaplasia was found significantly more often among the formaldehyde-exposed rats. Squamous cell metaplasia with dysplasia was most frequently observed, however, in the group exposed to both formaldehyde and wood dust. There were also significantly more rats with pulmonary emphysema in the groups exposed to wood dust than in the other groups.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Histological changes in the nasal mucosa in persons occupationally exposed to formaldehyde alone and in combination with wood dust.

In the nasal mucosa of rodents, both formaldehyde and wood dust have proved to be carcinogenic. Wood dust is also a well-known nasal carcinogen in man. The effects of long-term exposure of humans to formaldehyde, however, are more obscure. In this investigation two groups of workers with well-defined exposure to formaldehyde and to formaldehyde and wood dust, respectively, were compared with a control group regarding histological changes in nasal specimens from the middle turbinate. Significant changes were found in the formaldehyde group but not in the group exposed to both formaldehyde and wood dust. No correlation was found between histological changes and duration of exposure, doses of exposure or smoking habits.

Adult↗