A survey of the pattern of glandular distribution in the larynges of human infants

Comparison of the larynx-associated lymphoid tissue in the false vocal cords and subglottis in pediatric autopsies

The aim this work was to compare the distribution of cellular phenotypes of the LF in the FVC to the ones in the subglottic region in pediatric autopsy, relating this distribution to age and different causes of death. We analyzed 60 larynges of newborns and children autopsied in the period from 1993 to 2003. The fragments were prepared in order to perform histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. The morphological analysis showed cases that presented LF only in FVC (35%), LF only in the subglottic region (20%), lack of LF in FVC (30%) and lymphoid aggregates, which did not characterize an LF (15%). The cases of LF in the subglottic region were significantly younger compared to the ones that presented LF in the FVC (p=0.017). The LF in the subglottic region was bigger than the LF in the FVC (p=0.020). There was no significant difference between the cause of death and cellular phenotype for both FVC and the subglottic region. In conclusion, the cells that make up the LF in the FVC in newborns and children younger than one year have functional characteristics similar to LF cells in the subglottic region, suggesting that there are similarities with LALT.

Local immune status and tumour marker expression in the human larynx

This study examined the local immune status and tumour marker expression in secretions and related tissue specimens from the laryngeal ventricle, comparing individuals with and without head and neck cancer. Laryngeal secretion and mucosal tissue specimens were collected during laryngeal microsurgery or surgical laryngectomy. The laryngeal secretions were found to contain immunological factors such as immunoglobulins G and A and secretory immunoglobulin A. A high level of the tumour marker Cyfra 21-1 was also detected in laryngeal secretions and mucosal tissue. Lows levels of secretory immunoglobulin A and Cyfra 21-1 were seen in the laryngeal mucosal tissue of controls and patients who had previously undergone radiation therapy. The level of secretory immunoglobulin A in laryngeal secretions closely correlated to the level of this immunoglobulin in mucosal tissue. These results indicate that local immunity is present in the human larynx; furthermore, it is strongly affected both by the presence of malignancy and by laryngeal cancer treatments such as irradiation.

Age related changes in the distribution of laryngeal glands in the human adult larynx

OBJECTIVE

To understand the defense status of glandular tissue in the human adult larynx, we examined the glandular distribution, concentration and the ratio of the mucous glands in the subglottic and supraglottic larynx.

METHODS

One-hundred and seven adult larynges were examined. The area of the mucosa and glands were measured using an image analyzing system. The correlations of the concentration as well as the ratio of the mucous glands with age were analyzed.

RESULTS

The ratio of the areas occupied by the glandular acini of the subglottis was almost equal to that of infants as we reported earlier. The concentration of the laryngeal glands decreased in higher-aged adults at the level of the supraglottis, but not at the level of the subglottis.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to infants, the ratio of laryngeal glands of the human subglottic larynx is rather constant in human adults. However, the supraglottic larynx seems to be influenced by increasing age. The changes deserved in the laryngeal glands predominantly occur in the supraglottic larynx.