Some markers of proliferative activity in cholesteatoma epithelium in adults.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the proliferative capacity in certain layers of the cholesteatoma epithelium and normal skin.

Material/methods: Cholesteatoma and skin were obtained during ear surgical procedures. The number of PCNA- and Ki-67-positive cells were counted within each of three microscopic fields at a magnification of x400.

Apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma in adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and apoptotic capacity in the various layers of cholesteatoma epithelium compared to the normal skin. Cholesteatomas were collected during surgical procedures of the ear. Normal skin specimens taken from the retroauricular area served as controls.

[Role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma in adults].

The aim of the study was to compare the vessels among cholesteatoma perimatrix, cholesterol granuloma and skin sections and to investigate the localization and expression of CD34 antigen. 14 cholesteatoma specimens were used in this study. Comparative material consisted of skin specimens taken from the retroauricular area during the ear surgical procedure and 4 specimens of cholesterol granuloma collected from children.

[Immunological problems in middle ear cholesteatoma].

Regardless of the pathogenesis of congenital and acquired cholesteatoma two questions seem to be fundamental: what is the origin of the keratinizing squamous epithelium, and what influences invasive and hyperproliferative behavior of the epidermis. The authors of this paper advance a hypothesis that the similar mechanism of the skin infection could exist in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis as well as in cholesteatoma. The retraction pocket leads to the loss of the defense mechanisms and development of planctonic bacteria.

[Verrucous carcinoma--histological and molecular analysis].

Carcinoma verrucosum is a histologic variant of a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, applied to 1-4% of all cases of laryngeal cancer. These lesions rarely cause deep invasion or metastasis to cervical lymph nodes and distant metastases. Among etiologic factors are smoking and purely oral hygiene.