Iranian Journal of Pathology

Histopathology Study of Patients with Delayed Mustard Gas Keratopathy 30 Years After Exposure

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

Seyed Hashem Daryabari 1
Hossein Aghamollaei 1
Fahimeh Asadi Amoli 2
Khosrow Jadidi 1, 3
Hamid Tebyanian 4

1 Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Vision Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

4 Research Center for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30699/ijp.2022.538950.2722
Abstract
Background & Objective: Delayed mustard gas keratopathy (DMGK) is the main chronic outcome in eye-chemical injured patients. The aim of this study was the histopathological evaluation of mustard-exposed cornea after more than 30 years.
Methods: Fourteen corneas after Lamellar keratoplasty were evaluated in this study. Corneal tissues were prepared by histologic methods and stained by H&E.
Results: The main histopathological findings in these cases were the presence of severe stromal edema and corneal scar. In the sections with visible superficial epithelium, subepithelial bullae formation was observed. Focal or diffuse disruption of Bowman's membrane and replacement with fibrosis were also seen. There was no evidence of stromal vascularization and inflammation in all specimens.
Conclusion: After more than 30 years, an extensive corneal scar is seen in sulfur mustard exposed patients. Scar tissue without vascularization and fibroblastic proliferation is the main finding in the sulfur mustard exposed cornea. This pathology result is different from other scars. No evidence of inflammation or immune cell infiltration should be considered in managing DMGK.

Keywords

Mustard Gas
Cornea
Keratopathy
Fibrosis

Subjects

  1.  

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Iranian Journal of Pathology
Volume 17, Issue 3
Summer 2022
Pages 354-359

  • Receive Date 11 October 2021
  • Revise Date 09 February 2022
  • Accept Date 15 April 2022

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