Vessel wall morphometry in giant cell arteritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate morphometrically the relationship between the degree of inflammatory reaction and arterial cross-sectional dimensions in giant cell arteritis (GCA).


METHODS
The media and intima of cross-sectioned inflamed arteries from GCA patients were outlined. The media circumference and the media and intima cross-sectional areas were measured. The two segments in every biopsy displaying the least and most widespread media inflammation were compared, using a paired Student's t-test. Moreover, paired comparisons were made of the intima area in inflamed and noninflamed sectors in single cross-sections.


RESULTS
The segment in each biopsy showing the most widespread media inflammation had the largest circumference and volume of media and intima; the intima cross-sectional area increased disproportionately. The intima was thickest in inflamed sectors in single cross-sections.


CONCLUSIONS
The close spatial correlation between inflammatory media infiltration and the marked intimal expansion supports the contention that promoting factors produced by inflammatory cells play a pathogenetic role in GCA.
Nordborg
C
C
Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden.
Petursdottir
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V
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007249:Inflammation; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators