Biomedical subjects

L Resta

Publications and source records attributed to L Resta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Primary malignant melanoma arising in an ovarian dermoid cyst: proposed use of radioimmunoscintigraphy with 99mTc-F(ab')2 antimelanoma antibody for staging and follow-up. Case report.

A case of primary amelanotic ovarian malignant melanoma arising in a dermoid cyst is presented. Grossly, inside the cyst, pigmented solid lesions were not detected. Histologically, an area with undeniable malignant microscopic features was revealed and its melanomatous identity was confirmed by positive S-100 protein and melanoma antigen immunoreactivity. Recently, after 21 months from surgery this patient has also undergone radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) with 99mTc labelled antimelanomatous antibodies which revealed a possible secondary paracolic localization. Regardless of this evidence, although the patient has always refused chemotherapy and second look surgery for removal of the suspicious area, she is alive 1 year after surgery and now doing well. The authors also report the usefulness of employing the RIS technique in evaluating the metastatic spread in this type of malignancy.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1992

Laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN). An analytical morphometric approach.

Laryngeal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (LIN) is graded in 3 levels (LIN Grade I-II-III), corresponding to the classic aspects of mild, moderate and severe dysplasia-in situ carcinoma, on the basis of the number and position of mitoses and of the undifferentiated or atypical cells limited to the basal or extended to the intermediate or the superficial layers of epithelium. In order to reduce the subjective imprecision of these parameters we have applied not only traditional dimensional evaluators but also procedures of analytical morphometry to the nuclear shape. By using the software system S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) we have examined fifty nuclei of the basal layer in LIN grade I, II and III, fifty nuclei in normal laryngeal mucosa and fifty nuclei in invasive carcinoma of the larynx (twenty-five cases in all). Normal and dysplastic nuclei did not show any dimensional differences, while the carcinomatous nuclei were significantly larger. An asymmetric distortion of the nuclear contour was noted in the moderate and severe dysplasia, but not in carcinomatous cells. Also the Fourier parameters, increased in severe dysplasia, decreased dramatically in carcinomatous cells which showed nuclei with minor contour irregularities than the normal cells. These findings outline the discriminative power of the analytical morphometry and suggest a possible correlation between nuclear shape and cell biology.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

PubMed1992

A new approach to the histologic study of ovarian tumors by analytical morphometry.

In recent years, borderline epithelial tumors of the ovary have been investigated by morphometric techniques to allow for a differential diagnosis from benign and malignant neoplasms. In order to enhance this discriminant power, we have applied a new analytical procedure to the evaluation of the nuclear shape in epithelial ovarian tumors. Sixty nuclei of benign ovarian serous neoplasms, 60 nuclei of serous borderline tumors and 60 nuclei of serous carcinomas (18 cases in all) were examined using the software system SAM (Shape Analytical Morphometry). The morphometric procedure consisted of three different phases: (i) extraction of nuclear fundamental curve: this is a function curve giving the smoothing of the original contour by two parametric equations (separately for x and y values as dependent variables); (ii) evaluation of nuclear contour irregularities by Fourier analysis; (iii) evaluation of nuclear shape asymmetry by SAE (Shape Asymmetry Evaluator): this is the ratio between the length of a segment of a parabola interpolating the original curve points and a straight line joining its extremities for a 180 degrees barycentric rotation according 10 degrees steps. All the obtained independent parameters were submitted to statistical analysis. Nuclei of borderline tumors showed dimensional parameters which were intermediate between those of benign and malignant tumors. Both the asymmetry and the irregularities of nuclear contour were greatest in carcinomas.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1992

Steroid receptor status in malignant and non-malignant larynx.

We investigated for the first time the relationships among all the different steroid receptor classes and between steroid receptor status and lymph node involvement in laryngeal carcinoma. Androgen (AR), oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors were assayed in the high-speed soluble fraction and in the nuclear extract from 73 carcinomas of the larynx. Forty-one, 26, 15, and 13 tumours expressed cytosolic GR, ER, AR, and PR, respectively, while 33, 26, 13 and 13 biopsies were nuclear-positive for GR, ER, AR, and PR, respectively. Data obtained in histologically-proven non-cancerous larynx (N = 20) compared to those obtained in the malignant specimens showed a significant loss of ER and PR in cancerous larynx over that in the non-cancerous tissue. Lymph node metastases were evaluated in only 53 of the 73 patients and they were noted in 22 cases (41.5%). No significant relationships were found either among the different classes of steroid receptors or between steroid receptors and lymph node involvement. Despite the apparent absence of any interrelationships among the different receptors or tendency towards metastasis, the presence of steroid receptors would justify the use of hormonal manipulations which could be effective in the management of this disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Candida and stapedial otosclerosis: histopathological findings.

The stapes of 6 patients with stapedial otosclerosis was found to contain fungus hyphae (Candida) in the sectioned specimens. The footplate of all cases and the head of the stapes in 2 of the cases revealed single or multiple erosion cavities containing numerous thin branching PAS-positive fungus hyphae with swollen terminal endings and scanty blastospores. Osteoclasts were not observed; occasional osteoblasts, blue mantles and otosclerotic foci were seen. Four patients had been treated for several years with antibiotics and corticosteroids for recurrent serous otitis media and 1 patient had had frequent catheterization of the eustachian tube. It may be suggested that the Candida infection was a secondary event induced by a general and/or local immunodepressed condition.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Variations of lymphocyte sub-populations in vulvar condylomata during therapy with beta-interferon.

Several experiences induced us to consider genital HPV infection as an expression of a local immunodeficiency. The aim of our study was to research the effect of immunotherapy on the lymphocyte subpopulations and Langerhans cells in vulvar condyloma. Twenty women with persistent vulvar condylomata, treated with 2,000,000 IU/die of beta-interferon for 15 days, were submitted to vulvar biopsy before and 2-5 months after medical treatment. The frozen sections obtained were assayed with the following monoclonal antibodies: OKT4 (T helper lymphocytes), OKT8 (T suppressor lymphocytes), OKB7 (B lymphocytes) and S-100 protein (Langerhans cells). Using a morphometric evaluation, the average number of both intraepithelial and stromal lymphocyte subsets and of the intraepithelial Langerhans cells was assessed. In all the biopsies preceding the medical treatment we found a low number of T helper lymphocytes both in the epithelium and stroma, with inversion of T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio and rare presence of Langerhans cells. In patients with a good therapeutic response (50-100% of condyloma reduction) we observed an increase in intraepithelial T4 lymphocytes and a decrease in both intraepithelial and stromal T8 lymphocytes. In cases with persistent disease after therapy, the histological pattern was similar to that observed in the first biopsy, with the exception of a significant increase in the average number of Langerhans cells. Our data correlate the clinical response to the immunotherapy with the histology of lymphocyte subsets in the vulvar condylomata. The increase in Langerhans cells observed in patients with negative response may be interpreted with a probable inability of these cells to promote the immune reaction.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Rational use of cryosurgery and cold knife conization for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

In recent years a variety of conservative treatment modalities are being used to remove Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). A series of 568 cases of patients affected by CIN, detected in our Department over a period of 10 years and treated following a balanced use of colposcopy guided cryosurgery and cold knife conization, has been reviewed. One-hundred-fifty-three patients, 111 with CIN 1 and 42 with CIN 2, were treated by the use of a nitrous oxide cryoprobe. The remaining 415 patients underwent cold knife conization, under general anesthesia and hospitalization. Routine follow-up for all cases included cytology, colposcopy and aimed biopsy when required. Cryotherapy had a success-rate of 90.1% (CIN 1-CIN 2 only) and "complete" conization 94.6% (included CIN 3 cases). Complications of conization, such as late haemorrhage and cervical stenosis, were more frequent with the "open technique" than the "suture technique". Nine pregnancies after cryotherapy and 34 after conization have been reported, no significant differences were noted in the pregnancy outcome following either treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Variations of lymphocyte sub-populations in vulvar condylomata during therapy with beta-interferon.

Several experiences induced us to consider genital HPV infection as an expression of a local immunodeficiency. The aim of our study was to research the effect of immunotherapy on the lymphocyte subpopulations and Langerhans cells in vulvar condyloma. Twenty women with persistent vulvar condylomata, treated with 2,000,000 IU/die of beta-interferon for 15 days, were submitted to vulvar biopsy before and 2-5 months after medical treatment. The frozen sections obtained were assayed with the following monoclonal antibodies: OKT 4 (T helper lymphocytes), OKT 8 (T suppressor lymphocytes), OKB 7 (B lymphocytes) and S-100 protein (Langerhans cells). Using a morphometric evaluation, the average number of both intraepithelial and stromal lymphocyte subsets and of the intraepithelial Langerhans cells was assessed. In all the biopsies preceeding the medical treatment we found a low number of T helper lymphocytes both in the epithelium and stroma, with inversion of T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio and rare presence of Langerhans cells. In patients with a good therapeutic response (50-100% of condyloma reduction) we observed an increase in intraepithelial T4 lymphocytes and a decrease in both intraepithelial and stromal T8 lymphocytes. In cases with persistent disease after therapy, the histological pattern was similar to that observed in the first biopsy, with the exception of a significant increase in the average number of Langerhans cells. Our data correlate the clinical response to the immunotherapy with the histology of lymphocyte subsets in the vulvar condylomata. The increase in Langerhans cells observed in patients with negative response may be interpreted with a probable inability of these cells to promote the immune reaction.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Multiparametric discrimination of serous ovarian tumors by analytical morphometry.

In order to enhance the discrimination power in the field of serous ovarian tumors, we applied the software system SAM (Shape Analytical Morphometry) to the analytic studies of biological forms. Besides the usual dimensional evaluations (perimeter, area, maximum diameter and shape index), this procedure permits the description of the nuclear form using analytical parameters: 1) extraction of nucleus fundamental curve; that is a functional curve giving the "smoothing" of the original contour by two parametric equations (separately for x and y values as independent variables); 2) evaluation of nuclei contour irregularities by Fourier analysis; 3) evaluation of shape asymmetry by SAE (Shape Asymmetry Evaluator); that is the ratio between the length of a segment of a parabola interpolating the original curve points, and a straight line joining its extremities for a 180 degrees barycentric rotation according 10 degrees steps. All parameters resulted to be independent and were submitted to multivariate discriminant analysis. We studied 180 nuclei from 18 cases of serous ovarian tumors, (6 benign, 6 borderline and 6 malignant tumors). With respect to the dimensional parameters, the application of analytical morphometry permitted us to reduce the minimum percentage error in the discrimination of the different classes. In fact, in the distinctions of benign and malignant nuclei, the minimum percentage error was 13.30%, against the 18.3% error when using dimensional morphometry. Furthermore, in the comparison of malignant and borderline nuclei there was a reduction of error from 23.3% to 22.5%, and in the comparison of benign and borderline nuclei, the error was reduced from 37.5% to 30%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1991

[Invasion of the thyro-hyoid-epiglottic space by carcinoma of the vestibulum laryngis: prognostic and therapeutic implications].

Invasion of the thyro-hyoid-epiglottic (TIE) space in supraglottic carcinoma is a frequent occurrence which, in most cases, only reveals itself upon post-surgical histology. In order to verify the current feeling that subclinical invasion does not in any way worsen prognosis the authors performed a retrospective study on the oncological results of 98 patients with T1-T2 supraglottic carcinoma. Of these 67 were treated by supraglottic laryngectomy while 31, taken as controls, had undergone total laryngectomy because of contraindications of a general nature. Histological examination of the surgical samples showed signs of space invasion in 60% of the cases. In these cases, there was a higher percentage of poor results (greater than 20%; mainly T recurrence) no matter what type of surgery had been performed. Therefore, subclinical invasion of the space must be considered as having an effect on prognosis and the authors feel that, whenever the pre-operative semiological criteria are insufficient to optimize surgical results, the patients presenting subclinical invasion of the space should be subjected to complementary radiotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Multivariate analysis of metastasis risk in laryngeal carcinoma. I. Tumor factors.

A multivariate analysis with a logistic regression model was performed in 181 cases of patients affected by laryngeal cancer, in order to evaluate the histologic tumor factors in predicting metastatic risk. The patterns used were: grading, localization, extension to the extralaryngeal structures, mode of growth. Nodal metastases are less influenced by the localization and the differentiation grade of the tumor. Cancer extended to the extralaryngeal tissues and with "infiltrating" type of growth are significantly correlated with nodal involvement. Multivariate analysis seems to be the best method to identify the exact value of each histological parameter used in prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1991

Multivariate analysis of metastasis risk in laryngeal carcinoma. II. Immune response.

The presence of inflammatory reaction, plasma cells, and eosinophils in peritumoral connective tissue and in neoplastic stroma was evaluated with morphometrical method in 181 patients affected by laryngeal carcinoma. A logistic multiple regression model was applied making it with the use of an independent variable represented by the "infiltrating" or "expansive" types of tumor growth, in order to evaluate the probability of nodal metastatsis of each parameter. The results suggest an inverse correlationship between plasma cells and inflammatory infiltration and incidence of nodal metastatsis only in the comparison of the extreme conditions: those with scarce infiltration versus the ones with large infiltration. Inflammatory or plasmacellular infiltration may represent both a defense mechanism against cancer and an aspecific or allergic reaction. The eosinophilic infiltration shows no value in the prevention of nodal involvement.

Eosinophils↗

PubMed1990

Secondary tumors of the ovary. III. Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and other sites.

16 cases of secondary ovarian tumors observed from 1977 to 1986, and in which the primary neoplasms involved other organs outside the genital tract or the breast, are studied. The observations concerned 13 metastases of the gastro-intestinal tract cancer (6 typical Krukenberg tumors, 3 "tubular" Krukenberg tumors, and 4 non-Krukenberg tumors), 1 urinary bladder cancer, 1 pancreatic cancer, and 1 tumor of unknown origin (probably an amelanotic melanoma). The histological diagnosis was very difficult in patients with no evidence of the primary malignancy, or in patients in whom the metastases simulate a concomitant primary ovarian tumor. The characteristic histological findings, histochemistry, and immuno histochemistry may suggest a correct diagnosis in most of situations.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Stapedo-ovalar ankylosis: histomorphologic patterns].

This study reports the results of the histo-pathological investigation on the stapes (fragments or complets) of 46 patients (34 females and 12 males) with clinical diagnosis of stapedial otosclerosis and submitted to stapedectomy. Otospongiotic and otosclerotic areas have been found only in some cases; more frequently, erosion cavities filled with fibrous tissue and round-cells infiltration with lymphocytes and/or macrophages have been seen. Osteoclasts were observed only in few cases. Blue mantles have been observed in about half of the cases. Our findings show that non specific chronic inflammation should be more frequent than otospongiosis or otosclerotic foci, and indicate that a phlogosis could be the pathogenetic agent of this disease. This conclusion is in agreement with our previous research, and has been recently confirmed by the observations in stapes of otosclerotic patients of viral antigens and antibodies.

Ankylosis↗

PubMed1989

Endocervical adenocarcinoma. Clinico-pathologic and histochemical study of 29 cases.

Twenty-nine women were treated for endocervical adenocarcinoma in the University of Bari in the years 1975-1981. The histological type was "endocervical" or "mucinous" in 12 patients (41.4%), "endometrioid" in 12 (41.4%), "clear cell" in 2 (6.9%), "adenosquamous" in 2 (6.9%), and "serous" or "papillary" in 1. Foci of papillary and endometrioid metaplasia were present in 2 adenocarcinomas of endocervical type. The following histochemical methods were used: PAS reaction, PAS reaction with diastase predigestion, Bleu Alcian at pH 2.5 and pH 1, mucicarmine, Toluidine Bleu at 0.3%. The "endocervical" type adenocarcinoma showed mucicarmine positive and PAS positive, diastase resistant material in the whole cytoplasm. This material was not metachromatic and Bleu Alcian positive only in the well differentiated forms. In the "endometrial" adenocarcinoma only in the apex of the glandular cells was PAS positive diastase resistant, Alcian and mucicarmine positive. "Clear cell" and "adenosquamous" carcinomas showed only few cytoplasmatic PAS positive, diastase sensitive granules (= glycogen). No positivity was present in the "papillary" or "serous" carcinomas. Our results permit us to unify the histological and the histochemical patterns of the cervical adenocarcinomas and those of the similar forms of the endometrium and of the ovary, and stress the common müllerian origin of these neoplasms.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1989

Bacteriological and histological study of 40 loose cemented hip prostheses.

The causes of the loosening of a hip prosthesis may be inflammatory, mechanical, immunitary or due to detritus. A bacteriological and histological study, in cases where further surgery was needed, may clearly contribute to the aetiopathogenesis of failure. Loose hip prostheses removed at operation were studied from a bacteriological and, in particular, histological point of view. There results were then correlated to clinical, radiographic and laboratory data obtained during follow-up. Inflammation proved to be a constant histological finding. The hyalinosis observed in 22 cases revealed significant analogies with histological pictures of silicotic granuloma, for which an immunitary pathogenesis is the current hypothesis. Thus, it is our belief that this correlation is suggestive of an immunitary based approach in cases where hip prostheses fail due to loosening.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1989

Morphological changes of the ovarian surface epithelium in women with ovarian polycystic disease or endometrial carcinoma and a control group.

The ovarian surface epithelium and that of related inclusion cysts were studied in 50 women with ovarian polycystic disease and they were compared with our preceding observations performed on women with endometrial carcinoma (n = 50) and on women without any hyperplastic or neoplastic genital tract pathology (n = 50). In 16 women (32%) the ovarian epithelium with normal aspect was found on the surface of the ovary and in inclusion cysts. In the remaining 34 women (68%) surface papillomatosis, hyperplastic and metaplastic changes were present on the ovarian surface and/or in the inclusion cysts. These findings were similar to those observed in the group of women with endometrial adenocarcinoma, while the surface epithelium was often normal in the control group. Our observations confirm the hypothesis of a hormonal influence in the hyperplastic and metaplastic modifications of the ovarian epithelium and in the related common epithelial tumors of the ovary.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Endocervical adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical characterization.

The presence of cytokeratins, IgA, alphafetoprotein (AFP), beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA) were immunohistochemically researched with a PAP method in 19 cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma. AFP and HCG were always absent, while the low and median molecular weight cytokeratins were present in 18 case (95%). These findings confirm the hypothesis of the tumoral histogenesis from the reserve cell of the endocervical epithelium. In 11 case (60%) there was a strong positivity of IgA in the lymphocytes surrounding the tumor nests, in the neoplastic cells and in the endoglandular secretion: this may represent a sign of an immune response of the patients to the tumoral antigens. CEA was present in 8 cases and EMA in 12 cases, with a unique expression: CEA positive cases showed no evidence of EMA and case with EMA positive cells were negative for the presence of CEA. Only in one case CEA and EMA were contemporaneously present. The possible interpretation of these findings is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗