Studies of the Larynx After Teflon Injection

Is Injected Polytetrafluoroethylene (Polytef) Carcinogenic?

“…Progression of the histological changes appears similar to that seen in vocal cord injection in dogs (Kirschner et al, 1966;Toomey and Brown, 1967). Initially there is an active inflammatory reaction with subsequent invasion by multinucleated giant cells which engulf the Polytef particles and sequester them in vacuoles (Lewy, 1966;Boedts er a/., 1967;Stone and Arnold, 1967;Harris and Hawk, 1969;Stone r t ( I / , 1970;Goff, 1973;Stephens rt a/., 1976;Sanfilippo rt a/., 1980;Dedo andCarloo, 1982: Mittleman andMarraccini, 1983;Wilson and Gartner, 1987;Claes rt a/., 1989;Marcellin et a/., 1990;Wenig Ct a/., 1990).…”

Teflon Granuloma of the Skull Base: A Complication of Endonasal Brain Surgery

“…11,12 Early histologic studies of Teflon injections in animal larynges suggest that Teflon causes an intense inflammatory reaction that lasts as long as 2 months. 13,14 This acute inflammatory response may correlate with our patient's elevated CSF WBC count, papilledema, and increased intracranial pressure that resulted in placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt 2 months after her surgery. Dedo and Carlsoo subsequently observed that a granulomatous reaction, characterized by activated macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and dense collagenous tissue, predominates 3 to 6 months after injection.…”

Ablation of Teflon Granulomas in the Canine Larynx with the Free-Electron Laser

“…Ellis et al 17 demonstrated the presence of sparse giant cells with a minimal tissue reaction at 1 month after Teflon injection in the canine larynx. Kirchner et al 30 demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with giant cells as early as 6 months after injection. Our pilot animal was sacrificed and examined histologically at 2 months after injection.…”