Cartilaginous metaplasia of varicose veins: a case report.
Cartilaginous metaplasia of superficial veins was found in a 64-year-old woman who underwent surgery for varicose veins. At operation, some varicose veins of the medial thigh were semi-rigid and fibroelastic to the touch. Histology revealed that half the lumen was occupied by chondroid tissue. The other half was obliterated by fibrous tissue, typical of post-thrombotic involution. Possible causes of cartilaginous metaplasia are briefly discussed.
Department of Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy. alberto.caggiati@uniroma1.it
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Caggiati
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Franceschini
D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery