Fluorescence in situ hybridization in the definitive diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in effusion cytology.

Background: Distinction of malignant mesothelioma (MM) from reactive mesothelial cells (RM) in effusions is notoriously difficult. The aim of our study was to test chromosomal aberrations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of MM in effusion cytology and to explore the potential role of p16, p14, and p15 gene methylation as an alternative mechanism of tumor suppressor gene inactivation.

Methods: Fifty-two effusions of biopsy-proven MM and 28 benign effusions were retrospectively analyzed by multitarget FISH assay for aberrations of chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and 9p21.

Parotid tumors: fine-needle aspiration and/or frozen section.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section (FS) analysis in the assessment of parotid gland tumors.

Study Design: Chart review and cross-sectional analysis.

Subjects And Methods: FNAC and FS analysis of 110 parotid tumors, 68 malignancies and 42 benign tumors, were analyzed and compared with the final histopathologic diagnosis.

The diagnostic yield of vitrectomy specimen analysis in chronic idiopathic endogenous uveitis.

Purpose: The low diagnostic yield of vitrectomy specimen analysis in chronic idiopathic uveitis (CIU) has been related to the complex nature of the underlying disease and to methodologic and tissue immanent factors in older studies. In an attempt to evaluate the impact of recently acquired analytic methods, the authors assessed the current diagnostic yield in CIU.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive vitrectomy specimens from patients with chronic endogenous uveitis (n = 56) in whom extensive systemic workup had not revealed a specific diagnosis (idiopathic) and medical treatment had not resulted in a satisfying clinical situation.

Measurements of fast neutrons in Hiroshima by use of (39)Ar.

The survivors of the A-bomb explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki were exposed to a mixed neutron and gamma radiation field. To validate the high-energy portion of the neutron field and thus the neutron dose to the survivors, a method is described that allows retrospective assessment of the fast neutrons from the A-bombs. This is accomplished by the extraction of the noble gas argon from biotites separated from Hiroshima granite samples, and then the detection of the (39)Ar activity that was produced by the capture of the fast neutrons on potassium.

Diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology and frozen section in primary parotid carcinoma.

Background: The low incidence and histologic heterogeneity of primary parotid carcinomas makes it difficult to evaluate the value of preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and intraoperative frozen section (FS) analysis. In the current study, the authors reviewed a single institution's experience regarding the preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic value of FNAC and FS in primary salivary gland carcinomas.

Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2002, 108 primary parotid carcinomas were resected at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Berne, Inselspital (Berne, Switzerland).