The role of mast cell in pterygium recurrence

Purpose: To investigate the role in pterygium recurrence of mast cell, which is known to play a role in inflammatory and immunological events, we aimed to determine the mast cell number in primary and recurrent pterygium tissue samples and to determine its relationship with angiogenesis. Materials and Methods: The study included 61 patients with pterygium who underwent primary pterygium excision with a bare sclera technique, but recurrent after a while. Primary and recurrent pterygium tissue samples of the same patient were examined histopathologically. The mean mast cell count was calculated by counting from 3 different areas under light microscope at 400 x magnification. In addition, the number of vessels was scored at 200x magnification. Results: 34 of the patients were male and 27 were female. The mean age was 57.02 +/- 7.96. The mean mast cell count was 8.46 +/- 2.52 in the primary pterygium tissue and 14.07 +/- 3.05 in the recurrent pterygium tissue. The mean vascular count was 12.90 +/- 3.17 in primary pterygium tissue and 16.21 +/- 2.24 in recurrent pterygium. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of mast cells and vascular number in the recurrent pterygium. Mast cell number and vascularity were correlated in primary pterygium and recurrent pterygium tissue samples. Conclusion: Increased mast cell in pterygium tissue may play an important role in the recurrence of pterygium. Determining mast cell count in preventing pterygium recurrence may be important.