Vol 50, No 4 (2012)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-12-23
Assessment of inflammatory infiltration and angiogenesis in the thrombus and the wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms on the basis of histological parameters and computed tomography angiography study
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0077
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(4):547-553.
Abstract
The proliferation of vessels within the aneurysm’s wall and the intraluminal thrombus of abdominal
aortic aneurysm (AAA) may be the main factor responsible for progression and rupture of AAA. The aim of this
study was to compare the parameters of the thrombus (size, density, contrast enhancement) measured by computed
tomography (CT) with histological assessment of thrombi removed during surgery. 29 patients with AAA
were examined with angio-CT. Post-surgery histopathological evaluation of AAA was performed. Slides were
stained with markers of B- (CD20) and T-lymphocytes (CD3), and markers of endothelial cells (CD34). Thrombi
were enhanced after contrast media administration in angio-CT (p = 0.002). There was a statistically significant
correlation between contrast enhancement and the presence of B lymphocytes. Intensity of endothelial cell
marker expression significantly correlated with the presence of inflammatory T- and B-cells. No statistical significant
correlation was found between contrast enhancement of the thrombus and markers of endothelial cells.
The accumulation of inflammatory cells in the wall of AAA thrombus results in the formation of new vessels
which participates to the instability of the thrombus and AAA wall. Assessment of the inflammation and neovascularization
in the wall and thrombus of the AAA might be an important factor in monitoring the progression
and the risk of aneurysm’s rupture.
aortic aneurysm (AAA) may be the main factor responsible for progression and rupture of AAA. The aim of this
study was to compare the parameters of the thrombus (size, density, contrast enhancement) measured by computed
tomography (CT) with histological assessment of thrombi removed during surgery. 29 patients with AAA
were examined with angio-CT. Post-surgery histopathological evaluation of AAA was performed. Slides were
stained with markers of B- (CD20) and T-lymphocytes (CD3), and markers of endothelial cells (CD34). Thrombi
were enhanced after contrast media administration in angio-CT (p = 0.002). There was a statistically significant
correlation between contrast enhancement and the presence of B lymphocytes. Intensity of endothelial cell
marker expression significantly correlated with the presence of inflammatory T- and B-cells. No statistical significant
correlation was found between contrast enhancement of the thrombus and markers of endothelial cells.
The accumulation of inflammatory cells in the wall of AAA thrombus results in the formation of new vessels
which participates to the instability of the thrombus and AAA wall. Assessment of the inflammation and neovascularization
in the wall and thrombus of the AAA might be an important factor in monitoring the progression
and the risk of aneurysm’s rupture.
