Conjunctival dysplasia in soldiers exposed to mustard gas during the Iraq-Iran war: scrape cytology.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the conjunctival scrape cytology findings in Iraq-Iran war veterans exposed to mustard gas and to detect malignant transformation at an early stage.


METHODS
Twenty-two male war veterans (29-54 years old) who were exposed to chemical bombing about 14 years earlier, formed the base of this study. All of them had chronic eye problems, such as dryness, conjunctival scarring and decreased visual acuity. Conjunctival scrape cytology was performed for cytologic study.


RESULTS
Among 22 cases of conjunctival scarring, 9 were diagnosed as dysplasia. Mild inflammation and squamous metaplasia were also noted. Squamous cell carcinoma was not identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Conjunctival scraping cytology is useful for the diagnosis of dysplasia in soldiers exposed to mustard gas during of the Iraq-Iran war. This method is also effective for follow-up study.
Safaei
A
A
Department of Pathology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Saluti
R
R
Kumar
P V
PV
D000328:Adult; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014857:Warfare
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas