Summary
The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological and immunohistochemical
characteristics of vocal fold nodules. The study design was prospective and retrospective.
For the histological study, we reviewed 15 slides from the surgical cases of vocal
fold nodules, in which we analyzed epithelium, basal membrane (bm), and lamina propria.
For the transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM) studies, five new
cases on vocal fold nodules were included. Immunohistochemistry study was carried
out in the 15 specimens, using antifibronectin, antilaminin, and anticollagen IV antibodies.
The main histological alterations were epithelial hyperplasia (73.33%), basement membrane
thickening (86.66%), edema, and fibrosis (93.33%). SEM—reduction in mucous lacing
and increase in the desquamating cells, without epithelial erosion. TEM—hyperplasia
of the epithelium, enlargement of the intercellular junctions, which was filled by
fluid, subepithelial thickening of the lamina reticularis, and break points in the
basal membrane. Immunohistochemistry—we identified greater immunoexpression of fibronectin
on the basal membrane, on the lamina propria, and around the vessels. Antilaminin
and anticollagen IV antibodies showed higher pigmentation on the endothelium of the
vessels than that on the basal membrane. In vocal fold nodules, combined assessment
using light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry can reveal important
morphological details useful in characterizing these lesions.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 23, 2009
Accepted:
January 6,
2009
Footnotes
Financial support was provided by FAPESP.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
