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Differential activation of total and EGF receptor (EGF-R) tyrosine kinase (tyr-k) in the rectal mucosa in patients with adenomatous polyps, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tyrosine kinase and a number of growth factors, especially EGF and TGF-alpha are known to stimulate proliferation in much of the gastrointestinal tract, including colon. In humans increased colonic mucosal proliferative activity has been observed in numerous premalignant lesions including adenomatous polyps and ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present study was to determine the differences of proliferative patterns in patients with adenomatous polyps, ulcerative colitis and colonic adenocarcinoma as reflected by rectal mucosa tyrosine kinase, EGF receptor tyrosine kinase and PCNA and to evaluate the role of tyr-k in colonic mucosal cell proliferation during carcinogenic process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 40 patients, aged 17-74 years (mean 57), in which 10 patients had adenomatous polyps, 10-ulcerative colitis in remission phase, 10- colon adenocarcinoma and 10 healthy controls. After informed consent 6-8 rectal mucosal biopsy specimen were obtained at 10 cm from the anal verge at the beginning of the colonoscopy examination and at least 10 cm away from any macroscopic mucosal changes. RESULTS: Mean PCNA labeling indices in patients with colon adenocarcinoma, adenomatous polyps, ulcerative colitis ulcerosa and healthy controls were respectively: 27.6% +/- 5.75; 12.18% +/- 6.76; 10.9% +/- 5.34 and 1.5% +/- 0.97. PCNA labeling index in rectal mucosa of patients with adenomatous polyps, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in the control group. An upward expansion of the proliferative compartment was also observed in patients with premalignant and malignant colon conditions as regards to the control group. Total tyrosine kinase activity in the rectal mucosa of patients with polyps was elevated by 219%, with ulcerative colitis by 224% and with colorectal carcinoma by 600% as regards to the control group. EGF receptor tyrosine kinase was increased in colonic mucosa by 35.2% in patients with adenomatous polyps, by 40.6% in patients with ulcerative colitis and by 123% in patients with colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Increased values of this enzyme in the above mentioned group of patients may suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation represents an early sign of colonic mucosa susceptibility for cancer development. We conclude, that overall an EGF receptor-associated tyrosine kinase plays an important role in the development of hyperproliferative state of the colonic mucosa and colon carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c-Met in nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression and distribution of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and c-Met proteins in normal nasal mucosa and in nasal polyps and to evaluate the possible effects of HGF and c-Met on the development of nasal polyps. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary academic institution. PATIENTS: Normal inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained from 20 patients undergoing surgery for augmentation rhinoplasty. Nasal polyps were obtained from 20 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic polypoid sinusitis. INTERVENTIONS: Semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression and distribution of HGF and c-Met were analyzed. RESULTS: Using immunohistochemistry, moderate to high levels of HGF were mainly localized in submucosal glands of nasal polyps, while c-Met was detected in submucosal glands and in epithelial cells. In normal turbinate mucosa, immunopositive HGF was detected in submucosal glands, where faint staining was found, while c-Met was noted in epithelial cells and in submucosal glands. Semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed that HGF expression was increased in nasal polyps compared with that in normal turbinate mucosa. The same result was observed for c-Met. CONCLUSION: Elevated c-Met expression in combination with expression of HGF in nasal polyps may enhance the proliferation of epithelial cells and submucosal glandular cells through the release of HGF, which activates c-Met receptors in nasal polyps.

Adult↗

Phenotypic characteristics associated with the APC gene I1307K mutation in Ashkenazi Jewish patients with colorectal polyps.

CONTEXT: The I1307K mutation of the APC gene is found in approximately 6% of the Ashkenazi Jewish population and is associated with elevated risk of colorectal cancer. The incidence of the mutation in patients with colorectal adenomas is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the carrier rate of the I1307K mutation in Ashkenazi Jewish patients with a history of colorectal polyps but without colorectal cancer and to compare phenotypic characteristics and family history of carriers vs noncarriers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A total of 231 patients who had at least 1 large bowel polyp diagnosed between January 1, 1992, and January 31, 1999, at 1 of 5 centers in Boston, Mass, were included, of whom 183 were Ashkenazi Jewish. DNA was isolated from cheek swab samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of the I1307K variant in the APC gene. RESULTS: The I1307K variant was identified in 22 (14%) of 161 Ashkenazi Jewish patients with a history of adenomatous polyps and in 1 (5%) of 20 Ashkenazi Jewish patients with hyperplastic polyps. The phenotypic features of adenomas, family history of polyps, colorectal cancer, and other cancers were indistinguishable between I1307K carriers and noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of the APC I1307K mutation is elevated in Ashkenazi Jewish patients with adenomatous polyps, but not hyperplastic polyps. The I1307K mutation represents a novel paradigm for cancer-predisposing genes, as it is associated with moderately increased risk of neoplasia without other associated distinguishing phenotypic features. JAMA. 2000;284:857-860

Aged↗

Effects of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine on intestinal polyp development in Apc delta 716 knockout mice.

Damage to the human adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is responsible for not only familial adenomatous polyposis but also many sporadic cancers of the entire digestive tract. Using homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, we recently constructed gene knockout mice with a truncation mutation in the Apc gene. These heterozygous mice developed intestinal polyps. We found that all microadenomas dissected from the earliest polyps had already lost the wild-type allele, indicating loss of heterozygosity (LOH) (Oshima et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:4482-4486, 1995). Using these knockout mice, we investigated the effects of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhlP), one of the most abundant heterocyclic amines found in cooked meat and fish. When PhIP was fed to these mice at 400 ppm for 8 wk, the polyp distribution shifted to a larger size range, although the total polyp number did not change significantly. Similar, but weaker, effects were observed with the other heterocyclic amines 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline. On the other hand, intraperitoneal injections of 2-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (N-OH-PhlP) at a higher dose (50 mg/kg) for five consecutive days increased the polyp number significantly. This increment was not associated with mutations in the Apc gene; however, most polyps showed loss of the full-length Apc allele (LOH). These results suggest that PhIP affects intestinal polyp development by accelerating the growth rate of microadenomas. It is also possible that high doses of N-OH-PhIP increase the frequency of Apc gene LOH.

Age Factors↗

Increased levels of promutagenic etheno-DNA adducts in colonic polyps of FAP patients.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can regress adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and the mechanism involves inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX). Reactive intermediates formed during the arachidonic acid cascade, notably by COX-2, which is upregulated in polyps of FAP patients, may promote various stages of the polyp --> adenoma --> carcinoma sequence. Etheno-DNA adducts can be derived from reactive intermediates generated during arachidonic acid metabolism and lipid peroxidation. We tested this hypothesis in colonic polyps from FAP patients and colorectal tissue from cancer patients to see whether increased formation of etheno-DNA adducts occurs. Using an ultra-sensitive and specific immunoaffinity/(32)P-postlabelling method, 1, N(6)-ethenodeoxyadenosine (straightepsilondA) and 3, N(4)-ethenodeoxycytidine (straightepsilondC) were quantitated in epithelial cell DNA from asymptomatic colon, FAP polyps and colon tumor tissues. Mean adduct levels in FAP polyps were 65 straightepsilondA/10(9) and 59 straightepsilondC/10(9) parent nucleotides, being 2 to 3 times higher than in unaffected colon tissue (p < 0.02 for straightepsilondA; p < 0.05 for straightepsilondC). Adduct levels in colonic epithelia decreased in the order: FAP polyps > tumor-adjacent tissue > tumor, normal and tumor-distal tissue. Based on this study, requiring confirmation in a larger number of patients and in experimental models, we have demonstrated the formation of promutagenic etheno-DNA adducts in adenomatous polyps of FAP patients that may contribute to genetic instability and cancer progression.

Adenoma↗

Deletion of 1p loci and microsatellite instability in colorectal polyps.

Previous cytogenetic studies have indicated that a subset of large bowel adenomas have distal 1p deletions. We addressed this question by examining 70 sporadic polyps (63 adenomas, 5 hyperplastic polyps, and 2 polyps of undetermined histology) from 55 patients for alterations at eight loci on the short arm of chromosome 1 and found allelic imbalance (AI) or loss of one allele (LOH) in 14 (20%). The locus most frequently changed was MSI, which maps to 1p33-35. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation with centromeric and telomeric probes for chromosome 1, performed for 11 polyps, did not yield an abnormal number of signals, in accordance with the interpretation that the observed AI and LOH were the result of interstitial deletions in 1p. Whereas allelic imbalance at five other loci (mapping to 5q, 8p, 10p, 11p and 17q) was found less frequently, and then mainly in large (> 2 cm) tumours, the 1p alterations were equally distributed among small (< 1 cm) and large polyps. They were preferentially found in left-side tumours. Instability at microsatellite loci--the mutator phenotype--is demonstrated by shifts in the electrophoretic mobility of normal alleles. The mutator phenotype was first associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer but is also occasionally found in sporadic colorectal carcinomas; however, it is still uncertain when in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in this type of genomic instability arises. We therefore looked for it at 12 dinucleotide repeat loci and found that seven tumours (six adenomas and one hyperplastic polyp) from seven patients had acquired new alleles not seen in the patients' corresponding normal DNA. Our results suggest that inactivation of a putative suppressor gene distally in chromosome arm 1p is an early event in colorectal tumourigenesis. They also show that microsatellite instability can be detected in large bowel polyps, indicating that this phenomenon, too, probably plays a pathogenic role for some colorectal tumours early in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

Adenoma↗

Polyps of the gallbladder.

One of the unusual problems associated with gallbladder disease is a polyp discovered by either ultrasonography or by oral cholecystogram. We report a recent experience of two cases of polyps of the gallbladder removed by cholecystectomy. The incidence of gallbladder polyps of any type is quite varied in the medical literature. Eighty percent of polyps occur in females, and these occur after the third decade of life. The polyps can either be cholesterol or inflammatory polyps that are not really benign tumors but just reactions of the gallbladder wall. The true mucosal benign lesions are either adenomyomas or papillomas. The adenomyomas and papillomas have malignant potential. There are case reports of carcinoma in situ and cancer arising from these lesions. The treatment for a gallbladder polyp is a cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

Fractal geometric analysis of colorectal polyps.

Colorectal polyps have a subjectively self-similar structure which suggests that these structures may have fractal elements and that the fractal dimension may be a useful morphometric discriminant. The fractal dimensions of images from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of 359 colorectal polyps (214 tubulovillous adenomas, 41 'pure' tubular adenomas, 29 'pure' villous adenomas, 68 metaplastic polyps, and 7 inflammatory polyps) were measured using a box-counting method implemented on a microcomputer-based image analysis system. Results were assessed using polychotomous logistic regression, confusion matrices, and kappa statistics. All examined polyps were shown to have a fractal structure in the range of scales examined. The fractal dimension was significantly different between different diagnostic categories (P < 0.0001) and was a useful discriminant between these categories (kappa statistic 0.60 for the confusion matrix with size as the other variable). The fractal dimension did not shown any significant correlation with the grade of epithelial dysplasia (P > 0.05). This study shows that colorectal polyps have a fractal structure over a defined range of magnification and Euclidean morphometric measurements will be invalid outside precisely defined conditions of resolution and magnification. The fractal dimension is a better way of quantitating the polyp shape and is a useful morphometric discriminant between diagnostic categories.

Adenoma↗

Patterns of inheritance of colonic polyps.

While the inheritance pattern of familial polyposis coli is established as an autosomal dominant pattern, the expression of the various extracolonic manifestations associated with the neoplastic polyposis is less well understood. The discrete polyp cancer syndrome may not be recognized unless both polyps and colon cancer are considered in the inheritance pattern. The hamartomatous polyps follow a Mendelian-dominant inheritance pattern for the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, while the inheritance pattern for the juvenile polyposis syndromes is less clear. Cowden's disease appears in a Mendelian dominant pattern, but the occurrence of colonic polyps is less well documented. The ganglioneuromas follow a mendelian dominant inheritance pattern, while the relationship and occurrence of colonic polyps in association with Torre's syndrome is uncertain. The Mendelian dominant inheritance pattern for the cancer family syndrome is documented; the role of colon polyps in this syndrome is less well understood. A further understanding of the inheritance patterns of these various colon polyps will lead to more understanding of the basic disease and help in prevention and early detection for treatment and cure.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Diet, alcohol, and smoking and the occurrence of hyperplastic polyps of the colon and rectum (United States).

Hyperplastic polyps of the colon reveal a geographic distribution similar to that of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps. However, unlike adenomas--known precursors of colorectal cancer--little is known about the etiology or clinical significance of the hyperplastic polyp. In this prospective study, we set out to determine the main dietary and other lifestyle factors in the United States that might be associated with this lesion. Hyperplastic polyps of the distal colon and rectum were diagnosed in 219 of 12,922 men of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study having had an endoscopic procedure between 1986 and 1992, and 175 of 15,339 women of the Nurses' Health Study who had undergone an endoscopy for a variety of reasons between 1980 and 1990. After adjusting for age, family history of colon cancer, history of previous endoscopy, and total energy intake using multiple logistic regression, those consuming 30 g or more of alcohol per day were at increased risk relative to nondrinkers among men (relative risk [RR] = 1.69; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-2.80) and women (RR = 1.79, CI = 1.02-3.15). Current smoking also was found to be associated strongly positively with hyperplastic polyps in men (RR = 2.45, CI = 1.59-3.75) and women (RR = 1.96, CI = 1.16-2.86). High intake of folate was associated inversely with risk in both men (RR = 0.74, CI = 0.49-1.11, between high and low intakes of folate) and women (RR = 0.45, CI = 0.28-0.74, between high and low intakes of folate). Among macronutrients, a suggestive increase in risk existed with intake of animal fat, although this was attenuated in the full multivariate model (RR[men] = 1.48, CI = 0.94-2.41, and RR[women] = 1.22, CI = 0.77-1.94) between high and low quantities of animal fat intake. These prospective data provide evidence of associations between low folate intake, alcohol consumption, and current cigarette smoking, and risk of hyperplastic polyps of the distal colon and rectum. These same factors also have been found to be related to adenoma and cancer of the colon. The hyperplastic polyp is an indicator of populations at high risk for colorectal carcinoma, and it also may serve as a marker for factors that influence neoplastic evolution.

Adult↗

Gastroduodenal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant degeneration of gastroduodenal polyps has been noted in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. To evaluate this problem further, patients with familial adenomatous polyposis were contacted and offered upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. METHODS: A prospective endoscopic examination was performed in 42 patients. RESULTS: The median age of patients at endoscopy was 35 years. The duration of known familial adenomatous polyposis at the time of endoscopy was 8 years. Polyps were visualized in 21 patients (50%). Gastric polyps were seen in 14 patients (33%), duodenal polyps were seen in 11 patients (26%), and ampullary polyps were seen in 7 patients (17%). Nine patients (43%) had polyps in more than one site. Adenomatous change was noted in 73% of duodenal lesions and in only 14% of gastric polyps. Surgical intervention was required in four patients; one patient had an early ampullary carcinoma, and three patients had severe dysplasia involving the duodenum or ampulla. All four patients had undergone a previous screening examination, results of which were normal in three patients. Compared with other patients, these four patients were older (median age, 58 years; p = 0.02) and had a longer duration of disease (median duration, 25 years; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: All patients with familial adenomatous polyposis require lifelong endoscopic surveillance to detect malignant degeneration, which may appear later in life.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Histogenesis of hyperplastic polyps of the stomach in terms of cellular proliferation.

We investigated the histogenesis of hyperplastic polyps of the stomach, in terms of cellular proliferation, by studying endoscopically removed and gastrectomized human gastric polyps either labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) by in vitro flash labeling techniques or labeled in an isolated organ circulation system, in both of which, perfluorochemical artificial blood was employed. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against BrdU and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was simultaneously employed. The generative cell zone of pedunculated and semipedunculated polyps was markedly expanded compared with that of the background mucosa, and this change also appeared in sessile polyps, although to a lesser degree. Enhanced proliferative activity was observed in both epithelial and stromal cells in areas of erosion. Our results demonstrate that the initial change in the histogenesis of hyperplastic polyps is an expansion of the generative cell zone, followed by interstitial edema and stromal cell proliferation, and that erosion can facilitate these changes. No correlation was found between the size of the polyps and the labeling indices. This finding explains, in part, the diversity of chronological changes in the size and shape of hyperplastic polyps.

Aged↗

Polyp measurement and size categorisation by CT colonography: effect of observer experience in a multi-centre setting.

The extent measurement error on CT colonography influences polyp categorisation according to established management guidelines is studied using twenty-eight observers of varying experience to classify polyps seen at CT colonography as either 'medium' (maximal diameter 6-9 mm) or 'large' (maximal diameter 10 mm or larger). Comparison was then made with the reference diameter obtained in each patient via colonoscopy. The Bland-Altman method was used to assess agreement between observer measurements and colonoscopy, and differences in measurement and categorisation was assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-squared test statistics respectively. Observer measurements on average underestimated the diameter of polyps when compared to the reference value, by approximately 2-3 mm, irrespective of observer experience. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement were relatively wide for all observer groups, and had sufficient span to encompass different size categories for polyps. There were 167 polyp observations and 135 (81%) were correctly categorised. Of the 32 observations that were miscategorised, 5 (16%) were overestimations and 27 (84%) were underestimations (i.e. large polyps misclassified as medium). Caution should be exercised for polyps whose colonographic diameter is below but close to the 1-cm boundary threshold in order to avoid potential miscategorisation of advanced adenomas.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Is laparoscopic resection of colorectal polyps beneficial?

BACKGROUND: We set out to compare the results of laparoscopic and open resections of colorectal polyps. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients who underwent operation by a single surgeon for endoscopically irretrievable colonic polyps between April 1992 and March 1996 were classified into the following two groups: group I, laparoscopic procedures for colonic polyps (n = 23); and group II, open procedures for colonic polyps (n = 22). RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between the groups relative to age [71.7 +/- 10.7 versus 70.6 +/- 13.7 years], gender [male:female = 10:13 versus 13:9], history of previous abdominal operation (eight of 23 [34.8%] versus 10 of 22 [45.5%]), type of pathology (villous: seven of 23 [30.4%] versus four of 22 [18.1%], tubulovillous: nine of 23 [39.1%] versus six of 22 [27.2%], tubular: three of 23 [13.0%] versus seven of 22 [31.8%]), size of polyps (2.6 +/- 1.7 cm versus 2.7 +/- 1.5 cm), or type of procedures (right hemicolectomy: 15 of 23 [65.2%] versus 11 of 22 [50%], sigmoid colectomy: five of 23 [21.7%] versus six of 22 [27.3%], left hemicolectomy: two of 23 [8.7%] versus two of 22 [9.1%]). There was no mortality and no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications (four of 23 [17.4%] versus seven of 22 [31.8%]), blood loss (167 cc versus 243 cc), number of retrieved lymph nodes (7.1 +/- 5 versus 6.6 +/- 4), incidence of carcinoma in polyps (two of 23 [13.0%] versus four of 22 [18.2%]), or medical cost ($22,840 versus $18,420), respectively, between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences in length of ileus (3.5 +/- 1.0 days versus 5.5 +/- 1.8 days), postoperative pain (2.3 +/- 1.4 versus 3.7 +/- 1.9 on postoperative day 1 [patient pain rating scale 1-10]), length of hospital stay (6. 5 +/- 2.0 days versus 9.4 +/- 2.7 days), and return to normal activity (5.2 +/- 4.2 weeks versus 9.3 +/- 12.1 weeks) in group I compared to group II, respectively. However, patients in group II had a longer mean specimen length (18.5 +/- 6.4 cm versus 29.1 +/- 22.7 cm) and a shorter mean operative time (177.6 +/- 52.7 min versus 143 +/- 51.4 min) than patients in group I. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colectomy for colonic polyps has definite advantages over traditional open surgery, including less postoperative pain, earlier return of bowel function, and earlier return to normal activity. Conversely, its disadvantages include longer operative time and a shorter specimen.

Aged↗

Variations in the expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in human colorectal polyps.

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) has been identified to be an angiogenic factor, and a close relationship between the expression of PD-ECGF and tumor development has been postulated. This study was designed to assess both the role of PD-ECGF in human colorectal polyps as well as its relationship to the expression of other oncogenes during colorectal carcinogenesis. One hundred twenty patients with colon polyps who had undergone a polypectomy were studied. The polyps were classified based on the pathological findings as nonneoplastic or sporadic adenoma. The polyps were immunostained for PD-ECGF and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), as well as for Ki-67 antigen and p53. The correlations between expression of PD-ECGF and clinicopathologic factors were examined. PD-ECGF was expressed at significant levels only in adenomas: in 4 of the 20 polyps with severe dysplasia (20%), and in 5 of the 20 cases of carcinoma in adenoma (25%). PD-ECGF was not detected in the nonneoplastic polyps and in adenomas with low-grade dysplasia. The intensity of immunostaining for PD-ECGF in adenomas correlated with the expression of Ki-67 antigen (P < 0.001) but not with that of p53. VEGF was not detected in any types of polyps. Angiogenic factors in colorectal adenomas might play an important role in carcinogenesis. The correlated expression of PD-ECGF and Ki-67 antigen suggests that PD-ECGF might not only act as an angiogenic factor, but also as a tumor growth factor.

Adult↗

Long-term results of polyp clearance by intraoperative enteroscopy in the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

PURPOSE: Enteroscopy during laparotomy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome was introduced in our unit in 1987. Its aim is to achieve more complete polyp clearance and thereby reduce the number of subsequent laparotomies for small intestinal polyps. METHODS: All patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome who had undergone intraoperative enteroscopy since its introduction into our unit in 1987 were identified. The numbers of polyps identified by palpation and transillumination and by enteroscopy were recorded. The timing of, indications for, and findings of all subsequent laparotomies were analyzed and compared with data from our unit before the introduction of intraoperative enteroscopy. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (14 females) were studied. Enteroscopy identified 350 (median 12, range 0-35) polyps not detected by palpation and transillumination. All impalpable polyps were removed endoscopically by snare or biopsy. The median follow-up was 53 (interquartile range, 13-133) months. Six patients have had an additional laparotomy (1 urgent relaparotomy for small-bowel perforation after endoscopic polypectomy, 4 polypectomies, and 1 adhesion obstruction). No patient has required operative polypectomy within 4 years of polyp clearance by intraoperative enteroscopy, compared with registry data of 4 (17 percent) of 23 patients who had more than 1 laparotomy within 1 year. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative enteroscopy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome improves polyp clearance without the need for additional enterotomies and may help to reduce the frequency of laparotomies.

Child↗

Lymphocytes and nonlymphoid cells in human nasal polyps.

Immunohistochemical stainings were performed on polyp specimens of 48 patients and on mucosal biopsy specimens of the middle and inferior turbinates of 23 and 28 patients, respectively. Significantly more CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) than CD4+ (helper/inducer) cells were found in the polyps. The number of CD2+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes in nasal polyps were very similar to the number in the macroscopically unaffected mucosa of the middle turbinates, whereas scores in the inferior turbinates were lower. In healthy subjects, the differences were smaller. CD22+ B cells were detected in varying numbers in the polyps in more or less organized clusters. Significantly more HLA-DR+ cells were found in polyps and middle turbinates than in the inferior turbinates. Eosinophils were found in moderate to large numbers in polyps of 77% of the patients. Mast cells and plasma cells were detected in moderate numbers, whereas neutrophils were found in 35% of the patients. In the middle and inferior turbinates varying but small numbers of eosinophils, mast cells, plasma cells, and neutrophils were found. In considering these findings, the role of chronic inflammation with T cell-dependent disturbances is discussed with regard to the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Adolescent↗

Is resectoscopic treatment of atypical endometrial polyps a safe option?

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term efficacy and prognosis of hysteroscopic resection and coagulation of the polyp base of endometrial polyps with focal atypia in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: In this observational noncomparative study, conservative treatment was offered to 16 patients, with high anesthesiologic risk, who had endometrial polyps with focal atypia and a surrounding atrophic endometrium. To confirm the focality of the lesion, the polyps were analyzed separately from their bases. Patients with atypia in the polyp base were excluded. RESULTS: After 5 years of follow-up, 13 patients are disease free, 2 underwent vaginal hysterectomy and annessiectomy due to other causes, and 1 died for cardiac disorders. CONCLUSION: Adenomatous polyps with atypia can be treated resectoscopically if the treatment is associated with an accurate histologic examination of the polyp base and its eventual involvement and the features of the remaining uterine mucosa. A thorough follow-up is recommended. Studies on wider casuistries of patients are needed.

Atrophy↗