Abstract
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to depict changes in the nasal mucosa by studying transmission and scanning electron microscopic pictures.
Methods:
This study was performed on 50 consecutive patients from the Department of Otolaryngology at Tanta University, Egypt between October 2008 and January 2013. Patients were candidates for total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer. Each patient was subjected to a biopsy from the nasal mucosa 1 cm behind the anterior end of the inferior turbinate using Blakseley forceps. Specimens were subjected to scanning as well as transmission electron microscopic examination.
Results:
All patients after total laryngectomy demonstrated at least 1 histopathologic abnormality. Focal or total atrophy in the nasal mucosal epithelium was found. The epithelial cells showed vacuolation, loss of cilia, and few short microvilli, as well as separation of epithelial cells with loss of junctional complexes. Widening of the binter-cellular spaces as well as focal disruption of the basement membrane, clear separation of epithelial cells from each other were also noted in some patients. In some patients marked thickening of basement membrane and angiogenesis of the lamina propria were seen. An increase in the number of active fibroblasts with increased collagen deposition, and swelling and degeneration of mitochondria was also evident.
Conclusions:
Changes in the nasal mucosa after total laryngectomy would eventually result in lack of mucus synthesis and consequently, inadequate mucus secretion, and could disturb the mucociliary transport
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