Identification of oxytalan fibers in Salzmann's nodular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
Diagnosis of Salzmann's nodular degeneration is based on clinical findings, as histopathologic findings in nodules are nonspecific on routine examination. This study demonstrates that presence of oxytalan fibers (ie, elastic system fibers) in lesions of Salzmann's nodular degeneration under light and electron microscopy allows definitive diagnosis.


METHODS
A 55-year-old woman noticed white nodular lesions on both corneas. Excised lesion tissues were examined under light microscopy with special staining and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Nodular lesions comprised hyalinized connective tissue showing nonspecific findings on routine histologic examination. However, oxidized aldehyde fuchsin staining yielded positive results in lesions, indicating the presence of oxytalan fibers. Transmission electron microscopy identified bundles of microfibrils in lesions, confirming the presence of oxytalan fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
Light microscopic examination by oxidized aldehyde fuchsin staining should be performed when diagnosing Salzmann's nodular degeneration.
Obata
Hiroto
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan. obatah@jichi.ac.jp
Inoki
Taeko
T
Tsuru
Tadahiko
T
D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; C437744:oxytalan