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-Ir an war veterans exposed to mustard gas and to detect malignant transformati on at an early stage. STUDY DESIGN. Twenty-two male war veterans (29-54 years old) who were expos ed to chemical bombing about 14 years earlier, formed the base of this stud y. All of them had chronic eye problems, such as dryness, conjunctival scar ring and decreased visual acuity. Conjunctival scrape cytology was performe d for cytologic study. RESULTS: Among 22 cases of conjunctival scarring, 9 were diagnosed as dyspl asia. Mild inflammation and squamous metaplasia were also noted. Squamous c ell carcinoma was not identified. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival scraping cytology is useful for the diagnosis of d ysplasia in soldiers exposed to mustard gas during of the Iraq-Iran war. Th is method is also effective for follow-up study.