Detection of p53 mutations may help in the selection of NSCLC patients suitable for appropriate investigational therapeutic strategies in view of improving their survival and quality of life.
Histologically normal thymus (type A) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) was immunohistochemically compared with hyperplastic MG thymus (type B) and normal non-MG thymus. In formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of ten type A, ten type B, and eight non-MG cases, the thymic epithelium and other cellular components were stained in conjunction with the basement membrane by a double immunoenzymatic method. This technique demonstrated a moderate architectural disturbance in type A thymus, with distended perivascular space (PVS), elongated medullary epithelium, and disrupted basement membrane. These changes were more prominent in type B thymus but were minimal to lacking in non-MG thymus. Compared with those in non-MG thymus, the myoid cells in MG thymuses of both types tended to cluster around the Hassall's corpuscles, with a slight decrease in number in type B but not in type A. B-lymphocytes were present in type B, type A, and non-MG thymuses in that order of abundance; the cells were confined to the medullary parenchyma in the non-MG group but were numerous both in the PVS and medulla in the MG groups. T-lymphocytes were increased in the expanded PVS of type A and B MG thymuses. The number of interdigitating reticulum cells was similar in the three groups, but the cellular distribution was more dispersed in MG thymuses of both types. These findings, although previously described in type B thymus, have not been well recognized in type A thymus. They support the view that a common abnormality (presumably chronic thymitis), differing in degree only, underlies MG thymuses regardless of the presence of follicular hyperplasia.
Twenty-five cases of pyothorax occurred in a series of 1281 thoracotomies. Almost all cases of pyothorax without bronchopleural fistula were successfully treated by closed drainage and irrigation alone. On the other hand, patients with pyothorax and fistula who were treated only with closed drainage almost all had a poor outcome. When pyothorax with fistula was treated by closed drainage and irrigation followed by further procedures such as open window thoracostomy, muscle plombage and/or omentopexy, treatment was successful. It is concluded that pyothorax without fistula may be cured by closed drainage and irrigation alone, but that pyothorax with fistula requires operative intervention such as open window thoracostomy or omental flap as soon as possible.
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