Nazim Korkut

Evaluation of oxidative stress parameters in blood of patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES In this study, plasma lipid peroxidation as assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and erythrocyte antioxidant status markers namely CuZn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and plasma levels of vitamin C and E were investigated in 20 patients with larygneal carcinoma and 15 healthy controls. DESIGN AND METHODS Lipid peroxidation was observed to be significantly higher (0.01 > p > 0.001) in the larynx carcinoma group in comparison to the healthy controls. Both stage I + 11 and stage III carcinoma patients were observed to have significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than the control group. A significant difference was found in plasma vitamin E level between the control group and stage I + 11 and stage III carcinoma patients (p < 0.01, 0.05 > p > 0.02, respectively). RESULTS Our findings reveal the presence of increased lipooxidative damage in laryngeal carcinoma patients, but no change with respect to the endogenous antioxidant components-GSH, GSH Px, and CuZn SOD.

Unusual extension of the first branchial cleft anomaly

First branchial cleft is the only branchial structure that persists as the external ear canal, while all other clefts are resorbed. Incomplete obliteration and the degree of closure cause the varied types of first branchial cleft anomalies. They were classified based on the anatomical and histological features. We present an unusual type of first branchial cleft anomaly involving the external auditory canal, the middle ear and the nasopharynx through the eustachian tube.

Choristoma of the parotid gland

Squamous cells might be encountered in a number of salivary gland disorders. However, benign neoplasms that mainly consist of squamous cells are rarely encountered, and they are neither listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) histologic typing of salivary gland tumors nor mentioned in major reference books. Seifert et al presented an unusual benign tumor of the parotid gland that consisted of mainly multilayer squamous cells lining cystic spaces filled with horn like material, namely keratotic lamellas. They defined this tumor as a choristoma, resembling a trichoadenoma. This was the first definition of such a tumor in the literature. Nagao et al screened retrospectively 1,921 cases of primary parotid tumors and found 2 cases resembling the one described by Seifert et al. Because of the histologic features, they proposed a new name for the entity: keratocytoma. Choristoma by definition is a tumorlike mass consisting of normal cells in an abnormal location. Nagao et al proposed that the tumors they present are primary tumors of parotid epithelial origin rather than choristomas. We are presenting a parotid tumor with similar histolologic features to the previously mentioned choristoma or keratocytomas. The ethical committee of the Acibadem Hospital was contacted, and the permit was waived because case reports do not need to be reviewed. A 28-year-old woman presented with a painless swelling in the left parotid gland for 6 months. Clinical evaluation was consistent with a nontender well-defined mass of a 2.5-cm diameter in the left parotid. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass within the left parotid gland and multiple lymph nodes in the left neck. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was nondefinitive. Left superficial parotidectomy and selective neck dissection were performed. Histologic evaluation of the specimen revealed a cyst lined with keratinized squamous epithelum. Islands of sebaceous gland lobules, ecrine glands, hyalene cartilage, and striated muscle were present deep to the the squamous epithelium. Wide areas of fatty necrosis, lipogranulomas, and foreign-body reaction were observed surrounding the cyst (Figs 1 and 2). The histology was considered to be consistent with choristoma. Fourteen lymph nodes were identified in the neck dissection specimen. All were consistent with reactive lymph nodes. The patient has been followed for 16 months without any recurrence.