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At least 1,603 records · Page 89Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Molecular pathology and CXCR4 expression in surgically excised retinal hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

PURPOSE: The surgical excision of retinal vascular lesions including hemangioblastomas is rarely practiced. This study investigates the pathological characteristics of 4 patients (3 with von Hippel-Lindau [VHL] disease and 1 with a vasoproliferative retinal tumor) who underwent ocular tumor resection. von Hippel-Lindau is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a defect of the VHL tumor suppressor gene. The VHL protein is required for oxygen-dependent degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha. This factor regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Retinal hemangioblastoma is the most common tumor observed in VHL disease. We investigated the expression of CXCR4; its ligand, CXCL12/SDF-1alpha; VEGF; and the VHL gene in VHL disease-associated retinal hemangioblastomas. DESIGN: Interventional case series with immunohistological and molecular pathological analyses. PARTICIPANTS: Immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology of the surgically excised retinal lesions were performed. INTERVENTION: Large retinal hemangioblastomas (1-3 disc diameters) and vasoproliferative tumors were resected surgically after laser photocoagulation in 4 patients. The excised tissues were snap frozen and evaluated by histology. Molecular pathology was performed for the VHL gene, and immunohistochemistry and molecular detection (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) were carried out for VEGF, CXCR4, and CXCL12. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation of clinical presentations and molecular pathology of the excised retinal lesions. RESULTS: Large retinal hemangioblastomas were resected successfully from the 3 VHL cases. Postoperatively, all patients were stable. Molecular analyses disclosed the loss of heterozygosity at the VHL allele locus in the VHL retinal hemangioblastomas but not in the vasoproliferative tumor. High levels of transcript and protein were found for VEGF and CXCR4, whereas low levels of CXCL12 mRNA were expressed in the retinal hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease. In contrast, very low levels of VEGF and CXCR4 mRNA were detected in the vasoproliferative tumor. Furthermore, increased expression of VEGF and CXCR4 was detected in more active hemangioblastomas. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of large retinal hemangioblastomas may be useful for therapy in selected VHL patients. Activated VHL lesions produce more VEGF. This is the first demonstration of CXCR4 expression in VHL disease-associated retinal hemangioblastomas. We suggest targeting CXCR4 as an additional therapeutic strategy for VHL disease-associated retinal hemangioblastomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Reproductive patterns and reproductive pathologies of stray bitches in the tropics.

The objectives of this study were to determine the annual reproductive pattern and to estimate the frequency of reproductive pathologies in female mongrel stray dogs under tropical conditions. The genital tracts of 300 mongrel bitches from a municipal dog pound were examined post-mortem from January to December 2003. Season of the year, age, size, and body condition score (BCS) were recorded for each dog. The year was divided into three seasons: warm-dry (March-June), warm-humid (July-October), and fresh-humid (November-February). Distribution of estrus periods was not influenced by any of the factors studied (i.e. season, age, size, BCS). A significantly lower number of pregnancies were recorded during the warm-dry season, probably as a consequence of embryo resorption. Underweight animals had a significantly lower percentage of pregnancies than bitches of ideal BCS. More ovulations per bitch occurred during the warm-humid season than during the other seasons of the year, probably due to climatic factors. Bitches of medium and large size had more ovulations than those of small size. Of the 300 bitches examined, 43.5% had one or more genital pathologies. The most frequent pathologies found in the ovary, uterus, and vagina were epoöphoron cysts (6.7%), serosal inclusion cysts (5.0%), and transmissible venereal tumors (15.3%), but the capacity of the females to come into estrus or to become pregnant was not affected by these conditions. We concluded that stray domestic bitches in the tropics were not seasonal breeders, but their reproductive pattern was apparently modified by environmental factors such as temperature and probably photoperiod. Although several bitches in the present study had reproductive pathology, the most prevalent pathologies did not adversely reproductive capacity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens: prediction of adverse pathologic features and biochemical progression.

OBJECTIVES: Patients and referring physicians often ask about the significance of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on pathology reports from radical prostatectomy specimens. However, limited data are available concerning the relationship between LVI and preoperative screening characteristics, pathologic tumor features, and patient prognosis. METHODS: LVI was evaluated for its ability to predict elevated prostate-specific antigen velocity, adverse pathologic features, and biochemical progression in 1709 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease. RESULTS: LVI was present in 118 (7%) of the 1709 men. On univariate analysis, LVI was significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor volume, and other adverse pathologic features. Prostate-specific antigen velocity was not significantly associated with the presence of LVI. Biochemical progression occurred in 34% of those with LVI compared with 10% of those without LVI (P <0.0001). However, on multivariate analysis with other pathologic tumor features, LVI was not an independent predictor of progression. CONCLUSIONS: LVI is a relatively uncommon finding in radical prostatectomy specimens for clinically localized disease. Although LVI was seen primarily in large-volume, high-grade tumors, it was not an independent predictor of progression in the multivariate model.

Disease Progression↗
PubMed2004

Endometrial pathologies associated with postmenopausal tamoxifen treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various endometrial pathologies described in association with postmenopausal tamoxifen treatment, as well as the clinical aspects of these endometrial pathologies. METHODS: A search was made in PUB MED for all studies published in English, up to the end of 2003, reporting on endometrial pathologies in association with postmenopausal tamoxifen treatment. Overall 106 studies were available, and all are included in this review. The types of studies included were mostly randomized clinical trials, non-randomized cohort studies, prospective and retrospective case controlled studies. RESULTS: Endometrial polyps represent the most common endometrial pathology associated with postmenopausal tamoxifen exposure. A high rate of malignancy was reported in these polyps. Endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps, endometrial cancer and malignant mixed mesodermal tumors and sarcoma are more commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients as compared to non-treated patients. Long-term tamoxifen users are more likely to succumb to endometrial cancer and endometrial sarcomas than non-users, due to the unfavorable histology of the endometrial malignancy, and an advanced stage of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The clinician should be alerted to these pathologies, which, in some cases, may potentially increase the mortality of these patients. Consequently, it is suggested that their supervision is of importance, especially if the patients experience any gynecological symptoms, including pelvic pain or pressure.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed2004

The value of transvaginal ultrasonography in the prediction of endometrial pathologies in asymptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients.

OBJECTIVE: There is no established ultrasonographic endometrial cutoff value for the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies in asymptomatic postmenopausal tamoxifen (TAM)-treated patients. We attempted to seek the most accurate cutoff value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple ultrasonographic cutoff points were evaluated by logistic regression analysis based on 279 patients who had transvaginal ultrasonographic examinations followed by endometrial histopathological analysis. Performance characteristics were calculated with correlation to the endometrial histological findings. We also calculated how many endometrial pathologies could have been left undiagnosed and the number of endometrial samplings, with different cutoff values, which could have been avoided. RESULTS: There was a gradual increase in specificity and a gradual decrease in sensitivity of the ultrasonographic studies with the increase of endometrial thickness. More overall and more various endometrial pathologies were identified with the increase in cutoff values. The best cutoff value appeared to be 15 mm (sensitivity 37.9%, specificity 87.2%, positive predictive value 63.0%, and negative predictive value 70.2%). However, by avoiding performance endometrial sampling up to this cutoff value, 62.2% endometrial pathologies including 48 endometrial polyps, one case of endometrial hyperplasia with atypia, and one case of endometrial cancer may have been left undiagnosed. At the same time, endometrial sampling in 78.5% of cases may have been avoided. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients, the use of wider ultrasonographic endometrial cutoff values could be associated not only with the performance of fewer endometrial samplings, but also with a higher possibility of endometrial pathologies, including endometrial cancers, being left undiagnosed.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed2003

Epidemiological assessment of Schistosoma haematobium-induced kidney and bladder pathology in rural Zimbabwe.

Clinical outcome of Schistosoma haematobium infection may vary significantly, ranging from mild symptoms to severe damage of urinary tract organs. This present study was undertaken to assess the relationship of a number of epidemiological and parasitological parameters with disease outcome in children from rural Zimbabwe. We surveyed 551 primary school students from three schools in the Chikwaka Communal Lands for schistosomiasis; 59.7% were infected with S. haematobium. Ultrasound examination of 189 of the infected students revealed that 50% had pathological changes of their bladder and 36% had abnormal pyelon dilation of at least one of their kidneys. Intensity of infection, certain water contact behaviours, male gender, proteinuria, and self-perceived haematuria were associated with increased bladder damage. Strenuous playing was negatively associated with pathology, especially for those with the highest grade of bladder damage. Kidney pathology was significantly linked with fatigue and pain upon urination and was more prevalent in students from schools closest to the major river systems. Our findings suggest that pathology due to urinary schistosomiasis is widespread and symptomatic in this population. The associations with bladder and kidney pathology can be used to predict disease severity and may be useful in targeting treatment to those most at risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy for infra-ampullary duodenal pathology.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of distal duodenal pathology is challenging because of the duodenum's retroperitoneal location and its shared blood supply with the pancreas. For infra-ampullary pathology, surgical treatment may include local excision, pancreaticoduodenectomy, or pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (PSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the management of 24 patients with infra-ampullary duodenal pathology treated by PSD between 1985 and 1994 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. RESULTS: There were 16 men and 8 women with a mean age of 51.2 +/- 4.4 years. The indications for elective PSD in 19 patients were neoplasms (n = 15), Crohn's disease (n = 2), and other (n = 2). Of the neoplasms, 13 were malignant (11 adenocarcinoma, 1 lymphoma, 1 liposarcoma) and 2 were being (1 villous adenoma, 1 benign stromal tumor). Five patients had PSD as an emergency procedure for penetrating trauma. The mean follow-up is 24.2 +/- 5.8 months (range 1 to 122). In the group undergoing elective PSD, the mean length of operation was 5.3 +/- 0.4 hours, and the estimated blood loss was 569 +/- 121 mL. In the entire series, there was 1 postoperative death from an anastomotic leak and 1 reexploration for anastomotic bleeding. Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy in patients with trauma or benign duodenal pathology resulted in a good outcome in all. In those 11 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma, 7 have died, 2 have had recurrences, and 2 are disease free. Actuarial and disease-free, 2-year survival rates in the 11 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma were 33% and 14%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is a safe and effective treatment in patients with distal duodenal benign neoplasms or trauma, and PSD appears to have limited effectiveness for malignant distal duodenal pathology.

Ampulla of Vater↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The quality of life in patients with pathologic myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional status in daily life and the quality of life (QOL) of pathologic myopia patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of consecutive pathologic myopia patients (n = 200) and control subjects (n = 144). The influence of the disease on the daily life and the QOL of patients were evaluated using a self-rated questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the full range of daily life activity, including daily tasks depending on visual acuity, social and emotional handicaps, and cognition of disease, and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients. RESULTS: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of patients were reduced compared with control subjects. The influence of pathologic myopia on a patient's daily life was primarily the result of three major factors, handicap, disability, and support. All three factors correlated with the QOL, the degree of handicap having the strongest correlation. CONCLUSION: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients were reduced; this decline in QOL was attributed to handicap and disability caused by the ocular disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

MRI-clinical correlations: more than inflammation alone-what can MRI contribute to improve the understanding of pathological processes in MS?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive technique in the detection and follow-up of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. However, the pathologic basis of these changes is poorly understood. It is becoming increasingly apparent that routine MRI techniques do not represent specific histopathologic changes but reflect a variety of pathological changes in tissue. This review will outline the findings in MRI-pathology correlation in MS to date, and the current understanding of the evolution of pathologic changes in the MS lesion and non-lesional white matter as reflected by MRI. Possible future contributions of MRI to unveiling the dynamic pathology of MS will also be discussed.

Brain↗
PubMed1997

Pathologic laughter after unilateral stroke.

Pathologic laughter which usually occurs after bilateral or diffuse cerebral lesions was rarely reported in patients with unilateral stroke. I describe clinical and radiological findings of 13 patients presenting pathologic laughter due to unilateral stroke. Their laughter was excessive, unmotivated, uncontrollable and most often occurred during conversation especially at the initiation of speaking. There usually was a latent period between the onset of stroke and occurrence of the pathologic laughter. The degree and duration of the pathologic laughter varied, but its severity tended to diminish during the follow up. Some of them also had emotional instability evidenced by easy weeping. Imaging studies showed that 12 patients had infarcts and one had a haemorrhage. The lesions were located in the lenticulocapsular area in 8, pontine base in 3, thalamocapsular area in 1, and cerebral cortical-subcortical area in one. The lenticulocapsular stroke usually involved the upper part of the basal ganglia and a genu or an anterior portion of the posterior limb of the internal capsule/corona radiata. In conclusion, unilateral, usually subcortical, strokes can produce pathologic laughter. Although the neuroradiological data presented here generally support the motor release hypothesis, the delayed onset symptoms suggest that more complex mechanisms may be involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Bronchoalveolar carcinoma: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic factors and survival.

BACKGROUND: The principal feature of bronchoalveolar carcinoma is that it spreads along airways or aerogenously with multifocality, but many issues are unresolved. METHODS: We studied 119 patients with pathologically confirmed bronchoalveolar carcinoma. Symptoms, smoking status, radiologic findings, the size of tumor, operative procedures, and complications were reviewed. We studied the pathologic features: presence or absence of aerogenous spread, patterns of growth, cell type, nuclear grade, mitosis, rate of bronchoalveolar carcinoma in adenocarcinoma, and lymphocyte infiltration. The correlation among clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings was examined, and the factors affecting survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Symptomatic patients had more infiltrative radiographic features, and asymptomatic patients tended to have more mass-like features (P <.0001). Tumors with radiographically infiltrating lesions tended to have mucinous histologic features (P =.006). Tumors with mass lesions by radiograph tended to have nonmucinous and sclerosing histologic features (P =.003). Aerogenous spread was seen in 94% of specimens. The presence of a variety of cell types suggested multiple clonal origin. The overall survival in those patients undergoing resection was 69.1% at 5 years and 56.5% at 10 years. The significant factors affecting survival were radiologic presence of a mass or infiltrate, pathologic findings of the presence of sclerosis, association with a scar, the rate of bronchoalveolar carcinoma in adenocarcinoma, lymphocyte infiltration grade, nodal involvement, and status of complete resection. Mitosis or nuclear grade of tumor cells did not correlate with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoalveolar carcinoma showed good overall survival with appropriate surgical procedures. Certain radiologic or pathologic findings correlated with survival. These findings may enhance the ability to predict long-term survival.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗
PubMed1998

Combined post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and resection of chest tumor under the same anesthetic is appropriate based on morbidity and tumor pathology.

PURPOSE: We determine if post-chemotherapy resection of residual retroperitoneal and chest tumor under the same anesthetic is reasonable based on tumor pathology and morbidity, and if the finding of necrosis in the abdomen allows observation of chest tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 143 post-chemotherapy patients who underwent resection of residual retroperitoneal and chest disease under the same anesthetic. RESULTS: Retroperitoneal pathology was generally predictive of chest pathology. Concordance existed in 77.5% of patients with necrosis, 70% with teratoma and 69% with cancer of the abdomen. However, the correlation was much stronger (86%) in predicting necrosis/fibrosis if cases were categorized as uncomplicated by Indiana University criteria. Although the morbidity of the combined approach is higher than that of standard post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, it was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and resection of chest disease under the same anesthetic is acceptable. Retroperitoneal pathology generally predicts chest pathology but this correlation is much stronger if the case is uncomplicated based on our criteria. In an uncomplicated case the discovery of necrosis of the abdomen allows observation of chest tumor.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2006

Pathological characteristics of prostate cancer detected through prostate specific antigen based screening.

PURPOSE: Since the introduction of PSA testing for CaP, there has been an increase in CaP detection. However, it is uncertain to what extent clinically insignificant tumors are being diagnosed and treated. In a large, community based population we determined the pathological characteristics of screening detected cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 2001, 35,661 men were enrolled in a longitudinal prostate cancer screening study. Data were available on 3,492 of the 3,568 men (98%) diagnosed with CaP during this study period. Radical prostatectomy was performed in 2,254 men (63%). Clinical stage, Gleason score and pathological analysis were recorded and analyzed in the context of preoperative PSA, digital rectal examination findings, PSA velocity and the year of cancer detection. RESULTS: CaP was detected in 10% of men. Virtually all cases were clinically localized (99.8%) and approximately 70% treated with radical prostatectomy were pathologically organ confined disease. Fewer than 10% of tumors would be considered clinically insignificant based on 2 previously published pathological criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the high prevalence of CaP found in autopsy studies there is a lower detection rate using current screening protocols. Although the outcomes are unknown if these tumors had been left untreated, the majority met pathological criteria for significant cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The use of prostate specific antigen, clinical stage and Gleason score to predict pathological stage in men with localized prostate cancer.

Clinical stage, Gleason score and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels are used separately to predict pathological stage in patients with localized prostate cancer. Because the degree of tumor differentiation has a profound influence on the expression of serum PSA, serum PSA levels alone do not reflect tumor burden accurately. To overcome this obstacle we tested these 3 variables alone and in combinations as predictors of final pathological stage in 703 men with clinically localized prostate cancer at our institution. All patients were assigned a clinical stage by 1 urologist. The Gleason score was determined from preoperative needle biopsy and serum PSA levels were measured on an ambulatory basis. Final pathological stage was determined to be either organ confined, established capsular penetration, seminal vesicle involvement or lymph node involvement. Logistic regression analysis with the likelihood ratio chi-square test determined that serum PSA, Gleason score and clinical stage all predicted final pathological stage well. The results were improved with combinations of the 3 variables (serum PSA, Gleason score and clinical stage) and the combination provided the best separation. From these analyses probability plots and nomograms have been constructed to assist urologists in the preoperative prediction of final pathological stage for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1991

Computerized tomography for detection and staging of localized and pathologically defined upper tract urothelial tumors.

Between 1980 and 1989, 94 patients were evaluated for upper tract urothelial tumors. Preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans and pathology reports were available in 30 patients who also had nephroureterectomy for treatment of transitional cell carcinoma. Retrospective evaluation of these CT scans was done without knowledge of the final pathological status to determine accuracy of tumor detection and staging. Pathological findings were also reviewed and the pathological staging was compared to that of CT. At pathological evaluation the 30 renal units contained 34 grossly visible, distinct papillary tumors: 7 were ureteral and 27 were in the renal pelvis. Of the renal units 8 also contained carcinoma in situ that was not visible on any study. Conventional excretory urograms and/or retrograde or antegrade pyelograms detected 28 (82%) and CT 17 (50%) of the 34 papillary tumors. Excluding suboptimal scans due to early generation machines, inadequate intravenous contrast medium or too widely spaced slices caused CT sensitivity to increase to 15 of 22 (68%). It was not possible to distinguish stages Ta to T2 lesions on any radiological study. CT sensitivity for parenchymal invasion was 75% with a specificity of 43%. CT sensitivity for fat invasion was 67% with a specificity of 44%. We conclude that CT is limited in usefulness for detection and staging of low stage upper tract urothelial tumors. While CT is the best current imaging modality over-all for staging of upper tract urothelial tumors, results obtained in low stage tumors must be viewed with caution particularly when precise preoperative clinical staging is essential, such as before nephron-sparing procedures.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1989

Results of local and/or systemic adjuvant therapy in the management of pathological stage C or D1 prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy.

Between 1976 and 1984, 47 of 108 patients (44%) who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for clinical stage A2 or B adenocarcinoma of the prostate were found to have pathological stage C or D1 disease. A total of 31 consecutive patients with pathological stage C disease received 45 to 55 Gy. adjuvant external beam radiation postoperatively. Actuarial 5 and 10-year survival rates free of disease were 92%, with a local recurrence rate of 3% and a distant recurrence rate of 6% at a mean followup of 5 years. Sixteen consecutive pathological stage D1 cancer patients received 45 to 60 Gy. adjuvant external beam radiation alone (4), adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy alone with cyclophosphamide (5) or combined adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy (7). Actuarial 5 and 10-year survival rates free of disease were 86% with no local recurrences and a distant recurrence rate of 12% at a mean followup of 5 years. These results provide further evidence to support the use of adjuvant external beam radiation therapy in the management of pathological stage C disease. Our preliminary results suggest that an aggressive, multidisciplinary approach is warranted in pathological stage D1 disease and that adjuvant chemotherapy, with or without adjuvant radiation, may have a role in prolonging survival free of disease in this high risk group.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural progression of Oesophagostomum bifurcum pathology and infection in a rural community of northern Ghana.

An estimated 250,000 people in northern Ghana and Togo are infected with the intestinal helminth parasite Oesophagostomum bifurcum, as detected by stool cultures. Clinical disease caused by O. bifurcum is responsible for about 50 cases per year at the region's central hospital, and presents as painful abdominal masses: inflammatory colonic nodules containing live juvenile stages of the helminth. In individuals living in villages highly endemic with O. bifurcum infection, colonic pathology visible by ultrasound is also highly prevalent. These nodules also contain O. bifurcum juvenile worms but are apparently asymptomatic. Thus, O. bifurcum infection and asymptomatic colonic pathology are highly prevalent within this area, but clinical disease is relatively uncommon. The natural evolution and regression of the colonic pathology in an endemic community in northern Ghana and its distribution within the population is described. Of the 299 individuals in the study group, 28% had colonic pathology at recruitment in the late-rainy season, which decreased with a half-life of 3-4 months during the dry season. Of those negative at recruitment, 28% developed nodules during the year, the majority appearing at the end of the subsequent rainy season. Children tended to have a higher prevalence and intensity of ultrasound-visible pathology compared to adults. Almost half (49%) of the study group had colonic nodules at least once during the year, and 2% of these individuals presented with clinical disease to the local hospital during the mid-rainy season.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Amniotic membrane transplantation for ocular surface pathology: long-term results.

Amniotic membrane transplantation has been used for >90 years for cutaneous and mucous lesions for regeneration of tissues. In recent years its effectiveness has been demonstrated in the treatment of diseases of the ocular surface. We present our experience with 53 amniotic membrane transplantations for different ocular pathologies with two different forms of implantation. The 53 cases were divided into three groups according to pathology and type of implant. Group 1 included 24 eyes with amniotic membrane grafts after resection of extensive conjunctival lesions. Group 2 included 19 eyes with amniotic membrane grafts for corneal pathology, and group 3 consisted of 10 eyes with amniotic membrane patches for corneal epithelial defects without ulceration. No intra- or postoperative complications were observed during an average follow-up period of 32 months (24-48 months). Group 1 demonstrated rapid healing of the lesions with minimal scarring in all cases. In group 2 a favorable response was observed in 16 of 19 cases. In group 3 complete healing was achieved in only 3 of 10 cases, and the time for which the graft remained was related to the success of the treatment. The primary intention was to achieve prolonged fixation of the implant. Finally, amniotic membrane transplantation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of different pathologies of the ocular surface. After the resection of extensive conjunctival lesions it is currently the preferred treatment. In corneal pathology, it represents an additional therapeutic alternative when conservative medical treatments fail.

Amnion↗