Effect of irradiation on the human laryngeal glands.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was conducted to determine the effects of irradiation on the human laryngeal glands.


METHODS
Light and transmission electron microscopic observations were made.


RESULTS
Granular endoplasmic reticula and Golgi apparatuses were sparse in the cytoplasm of serous and mucous cells in cases with a short duration after radiotherapy. The secretory granules in serous cells had decreased in number. The secretory granules were less electron-dense compared to those in non-irradiated specimens, but were electron-lucent. The mucigen droplets in mucous cells were not as numerous as those in non-irradiated specimens. The discharge of secretory granules and mucigen droplets had decreased. In cases with a long duration after radiotherapy, there were some granular endoplasmic reticula and Golgi apparatuses in the cytoplasm. However, the transmission electron microscopy findings of secretory granules and mucigen droplets were the same as those in the irradiated glands with a short duration after radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Morphological changes in the irradiated laryngeal glands influenced not only the amount but also the quality of secretions. The above changes lessened the lubrication of the vocal folds, thus causing a voice disorder to some extent. Local immunity and mucociliary transport were also affected. The effects of irradiation on the laryngeal glands partially altered the laryngeal functions.
Sato
Kiminori
K
Dept of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Nakashima
Tadashi
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007830:Larynx / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged