1/10. Microvascular changes in the lower extremities of paraplegics with heterotopic ossification.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the morphological aspects of blood microvasculature of the skin and subcutaneous tissues in subjects with paraplegia with heterotopic ossification (HO). methods: In two patients with traumatic spinal cord injury and HO, punch biopsies of skin and hypodermic soft tissue in the region of HO near the hip were studied with histological and ultrastructural methods. RESULTS: Alterations of endothelial cell and basement membrane of capillaries and small vessels were observed. Hyperactive endothelium, thickening and reduplication of the basement membrane, changes of the perivascular connective tissues and microcalcifications in the subcutaneous fat tissue were also seen. CONCLUSIONS: This present study indicates microvascular changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the region of HO near the hip of two subjects with paraplegia. In our opinion the described vascular changes may induce hypoxiemic alterations of the soft para-articular tissues leading metabolic changes which may contribute to the development of HO. Therefore, it cannot be concluded whether these changes are directly responsible for HO induction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/10. Intracranial ossifications and microangiopathy at 8 Tesla MRI.Clinical evaluation and MR imaging of microangiopathy associated with hypertension is limited. We describe a case that illustrates sensitivity of MRI at 8 Tesla for imaging of microvasculature, iron, calcium deposits and silent white matter lesions (WML). A 60-year-old black hypertensive woman was evaluated for numbness in the face and extremities. MRI at 1.5 Tesla was unrevealing.MRI at 8 Tesla: Axial and sagittal Gradient Echo images were obtained with an 8T/80 cm human scanner and showed: 1) Large areas of signal voids due to ossifications and fat deposits within the falx. 2) Obstructed small vessels in the periventricular regions and distended cortical veins. 3) Numerous small WML, suggestive of mini-infarcts (<1 cm) and microhemorrhages. 4) Intracranial calcifications in the falx, tentorium, basal ganglia and chorioid plexus that were confirmed by CT scan. Atherosclerotic plaque in right carotid artery and reduced vasomotor reserve in middle cerebral arteries, documented by ultrasound, indicated large and small vessel disease.Conclusions: MRI at 8 Tesla improves visualization of microangiopathy, ossifications and iron deposits due to enhanced magnetic susceptibility at ultra high magnetic field.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/10. Pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular salivary glands with marked ossification.This article describes an unusual case of pleomorphic adenoma arising in the submandibular salivary glands that was associated with marked ossification. CT scan showed an irregular high-density mass in the left submandibular region. Histologic examination of the resected mass revealed a well-circumscribed pleomorphic adenoma with chondroid tissue intermingled with glandular and trabecular epithelial components. Irregularly formed osseous tissue was present in the chondroid tissue. The osseous tissue showed bone matrix on von Kossa's staining. alkaline phosphatase expression was restricted to the vicinity of osseous tissue. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts were observed at the periphery of the osseous tissue. CD34 staining demonstrated many microvascular vessels in both the chondroid and osseous tissues. We conclude the osseous tissue in pleomorphic adenoma was bone in nature, and via the process of endochondral ossification most likely depended on angiogenesis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/10. comparative study between magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings in ossification or calcification of ligaments.magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with histopathologic specimens of ossified or calcified ligaments, including the surrounding tissue, to evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging as a means to predict the progression of ossification. In addition, factors influencing signal intensity were evaluated by histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. The area of low signal intensity corresponded to the hyperplastic ligament around the ossification, and to the transitional area between the ligament and the ossification. A mineralization front and chondrocyte proliferation with strong metachromasia were recognized in these areas. The presence of a low-intensity signal area suggested the progression of ossification. The isointensity signal corresponded to proliferation of small vessels in the hyperplastic ligament, presumably representing the initiation of ossification. Histochemically, the metachromasia was intense at the transitional area between the ligament and the ossification, and the main constituent in these areas was chondroitin sulfate. Immunohistochemically, S-100 protein, transforming growth factor-beta 1, and Type II collagen showed an intense immunoreactivity in the chondrocytes, indicating increased production of the extracellular matrix. We postulate that the activation of chondrocytes and the alteration of the extracellular matrix may have affected the signal intensity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/10. Chondro-osseous growth abnormalities after meningococcemia. A clinical and histopathological study.The cases of nine children who survived the acute stage of meningococcal septicemia and secondary disseminated intravascular coagulation were reviewed. All of the children had major orthopaedic problems as a result of the acute disease. Detailed histological studies were performed on specimens of bone and cartilage, obtained when these patients had either acute amputation for gangrene or subsequent revision for a chondro-osseous deformity. In the specimens that were obtained from the children who had acute gangrene, the histological changes included small-vessel thrombi, osteonecrosis, subperiosteal new-bone formation, cortical disruption, cellular disorganization in the physis, and medullary inflammation. These findings were compatible with a combination of inflammation (acute osteomyelitis) and ischemia. In the specimens that were obtained during revision of the amputation, three years or more after the initial infectious or ischemic process, the clinically relevant findings involved the epiphyses and physes. The growth plates showed variable permanent ischemic damage. Bone bridges connecting the epiphysis and metaphysis were observed in various stages of formation, including several early bridges with involvement of only the physis and metaphysis. Endosteal and cortical bone, in contrast, showed complete recovery with no evidence of permanent ischemic damage. We concluded that children who survive meningococcal septicemia are at high risk for complex orthopaedic problems, both acute and chronic. The disseminated intravascular coagulation and focal infections of the acute phase are primarily responsible for the vascular injuries to the growing chondro-osseous tissues. Ischemic changes also selectively involve the physeal circulation, but may take several years to adversely affect longitudinal and transverse growth of bone.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/10. Heterotopic ossification masquerading as deep venous thrombosis in head-injured adult: complications of anticoagulation.A 26-year-old man manifested clinical signs of a left iliofemoral thrombosis 12 weeks after closed head injury in a motor vehicle accident. The deep vein thrombosis was initially diagnosed by venography and appropriate anticoagulation therapy was instituted. After four days of treatment, there was no significant resolution of signs or symptoms and the circumference of the left thigh had increased with an associated decrease in hemoglobin. A CT scan of the involved thigh revealed hemorrhage and calcification within the quadriceps muscle. In retrospect, it was evident that the hemorrhage and heterotopic ossification had caused compression of the surrounding tissue and vessels thus mimicking a deep vein thrombosis on venography. Clinicians need to be aware of the similarity of the early clinical manifestations of heterotopic ossifications and deep vein thrombosis and the complications which could arise with anticoagulation therapy initiated too early in the course of the disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/10. Diffuse pulmonary ossification associated with metastatic melanoma of the lung.A case with advanced diffuse pulmonary ossification is described. The patient underwent surgical treatment of a malignant nodular melanoma of the right shoulder followed by postoperative cytostatic therapy for 6 months. He developed renal insufficiency and pulmonary infiltrates 3 years after the operation. Two metastases into the lung were operated 4 years after extirpation of the melanoma. Histopathological findings revealed two major metastases of a malignant amelanotic melanoma and multiple tumour thromboses in lymphatic and venous vessels. Severe interstitial lung damage including diffuse pulmonary ossification and focal interstitial fibrosis was noted. Morphometric measurements of ossified nodules revealed increased ossification in fibrotic lung areas. Immunohistology for differentiating immunoglobulins and lymphocytic subpopulations was insuspicious. The findings suggest that diffuse intraalveolar ossification is probably not related to pulmonary congestion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/10. Ultrastructure of early calcification in cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.A case of ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament was investigated with the electron microscope. The posterior longitudinal ligament was composed of bundles of collagen fibers intermingled with occasional fibroblasts and rare blood vessels. Some ligaments contained matrix vesicles in the vicinity of degenerated cells. Hydroxyapatite crystals were frequently precipitated within the matrix vesicles. These findings are similar to the fine structure of the early stage of calcification in normal and pathological calcifying tissues described previously. In this study, the calcification process of the posterior longitudinal ligament suggests that matrix vesicles originate from degenerated cells, and acquire hydroxyapatite crystal deposits. Some eventually coalesce to form a large calcifying mass. Substantial amounts of collagen fibers comprising the ligament may serve an important role in orienting apatite crystal precipitation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/10. Dendriform pulmonary ossification.Four cases of dendriform pulmonary ossification are reported from postmortem roentgenography of isolated lungs. All showed pathoanatomical evidence of chronic fibrosing, mostly interstitial, rarely intraalveolar pneumonia, besides the typical manifestations of dendriform pulmonary ossification. microscopy revealed fluid transition from proliferating, interstitially increased connective tissue to fully developed osseous structures. These dendriform structures can be seen in some analogy to the structural pattern of interstitial, bronchovascular as well as septal connective tissue; however, actual topographical correlation between bone structures and blood or lymph vessels could not be safely determined. Our observations suggest that dendriform pulmonary ossification may be interpreted as a rare complication, or special manifestation, of chronic fibrosing interstitial inflammation of the lung.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/10. Supernumerary ovary with an endometrioma and osseous metaplasia: a case report.A 32-year-old-woman with a history of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain had left-sided pain and ultrasonographic documentation of a left pelvic complex cyst approximately 5 cm in diameter. laparotomy revealed a left retroperitoneal cystic mass adjacent to the iliopsoas muscle and overlying the major pelvic vessels. The mass was dissected and excised. Histopathologic study revealed endometrioma and osseous metaplasia in a supernumerary ovary.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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