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Biomedical subjects

H J Leu

Publications and source records attributed to H J Leu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Calcified and ossified phlebosclerosis].

Eight cases of dystrophic calcification and/or ossification within the walls of deep and superficial leg veins were analyzed and histologically examined. Calcification of superficial veins is a frequent clinical finding. Calcification of deep veins is occasionally observed. Ossification of the venous wall, however, has been rarely described. Calcification and ossification of the venous wall always concern the intimal layer or an organized thrombus and do not involve the media. This is in contrast to the findings in arteries where calcification and ossification of the media is frequent (Mönckeberg's mediasclerosis). The clinical consequences of calcification and ossification in the venous wall are briefly discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Morphology of chronic venous insufficiency--light and electron microscopic examinations.

The morphology of chronic venous insufficiency (cvi) as seen by light and by electron microscopy with additional immunohistological examinations is described. The course of events follows the well-known pattern of "injury and repair". The tissue injury is due to an increased capillary permeability induced by rise of the intravenous ambulatory pressure. This results in the formation of a pericapillary edema ("halo"). No evidence of a pericapillary fibrin deposition could be found, but fibrinogen might well be extravasated together with erythrocytes. The accumulation of cell debris and metabolites around the capillaries induces a secondary ("resorptive") inflammation with mobilisation of white blood cells and formation of a granulation tissue. Occlusion of small blood vessels is responsible for the development of micronecroses. These lesions have to be repaired by a new granulation tissue. Finally a fibrous scar tissue with impaired microcirculation results. Persistence of the venous stasis prevents a restitution of the tissue. Only by permanent elimination of the venous stasis, a restitution of the scar tissue may be achieved.

Capillaries↗
PubMed1991

Phlebosclerosis: disorder or disease?

Morphological examinations were performed in a total of 318 subjects (168 men and 150 women). Electron microscopic and immunohistological examinations were added in selected cases. Phlebosclerosis is a fibrotic degeneration of the venous wall that is regularly found in non-varicose veins of aged persons. Although its incidence is age-related, no correlation exists between degree and age. Marked degrees may occasionally occur already below the age of twenty. Both sexes and all the superficial leg veins (various levels of the long saphenous vein and minor venous branches) are likewise affected. The intima of the superficial leg veins is predominately involved, but media and adventitia may also be affected. Although the morphological appearance is similar to that of arteriosclerosis, localization, progression and clinical consequences are different. Phlebosclerosis of superficial leg veins is a disorder of little direct clinical consequence, but may have an indirect influence on the wall contractility. In the deep leg veins, however, a distinct phlebosclerosis of the intimal layer may be responsible for the development of thrombosis. As a secondary alteration, phlebosclerosis may complicate varicose veins (fibrous degeneration of wall areas with tortuosity, ectasia and smooth muscle atrophy). These lesions may further impair the already deficient reflux function. However, phlebosclerosis is no prerequisite but a late sequel of varicosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: a disease entity? Histological analysis of 60 cases of inflammatory aortic aneurysms of unknown aetiology.

Sixty inflammatory aortic aneurysms of unknown aetiology were examined by serial sections. The histological findings failed to reveal significant differences in either thoracic or abdominal aneurysms with or without marked adventitial fibrosis. Their identical morphology does not favour the existence of a special disease entity of so-called inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA). Absence or existence of giant cells of any type, occurrence of plasma cells, eosinophils, granulomas, fibrinoid necrosis and adventitial fibrotic thickening cannot be considered as variables which help in differentiation. IAAA are characterized by a marked predominance of male patients and a rather benign clinical course. They usually affect the age group around 60 years. They are not rare and do not seem to be restricted to certain races. Their aetiology, like that of the cases affecting the thoracic aorta (Takayasu's disease, non-specific aortitis) remains unknown, although autoimmune diseases, the retroperitoneal fibrosis of Ormond and arteriosclerosis may be related. However, on the basis of the present evidence we cannot consider them to be one of these diseases. There are no morphological findings which would justify the separation of IAAA from Takaysu's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A rare case of angiodysplasia: penetration of inguinal lymph nodes by large superficial leg veins. Report of five cases.

Five cases of veno-lymphatic angiodysplasia with penetration of one or several inguinal lymph nodes by the long saphenous vein, or one of its major branches, are reported. This malformation is usually detected during surgery for varicose veins with ligation of the long saphenous vein in the fossa ovalis. The significance of the anomaly is not clear, but in some cases it might be the reason for development of varicose veins.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Hypertensive lesions of pulmonary arteries in chronic inflammatory lung diseases (author's transl)].

150 cases of chronic inflammatory lung diseases of unknown aetiology and assumed hyperergic (immuno-reactive) pathogenesis were examined for hypertensive pulmonary arterial lesions and for chronic cor pulmonale. Hypertensive lesions of the small pulmonary arteries were found in more than half of the cases with chronic disorders of long duration, but were inconspicuous in diseases of acute progressive character. Hypertensive lesions were found regularly in chronic interstitial pneumonia, frequently in scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis and occasionally in dermatomyositis and disseminated lupus erythematosus. Chronic Cor pulmonale occurred in 16% of the cases with hypertensive arterial lesions of grade I (hypertrophy of media) and in 50% of grade II/III (hypertrophy of media and intimal fibrosis). Interstitial lung fibrosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cor pulmonale: two thirds of the cases with interstitial lung fibrosis had developed cor pulmonale and all the cases with cor pulmonale also had interstitial lung fibrosis. Hypertensive arterial lesions of grade IV-VI according to Heath and Edwards (angiitis, plexogenic and angiomatoid lesions) have been described in severe cases of pulmonary hypertension (congenital cardiac shunts, primary pulmonary hypertension). In secondary forms of pulmonary hypertension, as represented by our material, these changes are of little importance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Pathology of pulmonary changes in Wegener's granulomatosis, rheumatoid arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa (author's transl)].

Histology of the pulmonary alterations which may occur in Wegener's granulomatosis, rheumatoid arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa is enumerated. 30 own cases with pulmonary lesions are presented. The difficulties of differential diagnosis in lung biopsies are discussed. Both Wegener's granulomatosis and rheumatoid arthritis may terminate in a generalized necrotizing arteritis which cannot be distinguished from polyarteritis nodosa. This as well as various other similarities indicate that these three different disease entities base on an identical hyperergic reaction of the vascular wall. Only the so-called limited type of Wegener's granulomatosis has a relatively favourable prognosis.

Adult↗