TISSUE CHANGES IN CHRONIC EXPERIMENTAL LYMPHOEDEMA IN DOGS

JR Casley-Smith, L Clodius, NB Piller

Abstract


Chronic lymphoedema was experimentally induced
in the legs of dogs and studied with the electron
microscope, including by quantitation. It was found
that some cells (macrophages, fibroblast and, to a
lesser extent, lymphocytes) increased greatly in
number and relative volumes. Collagen (and fat cells)
also greatly increased in relative volume. The lengths
of blood ve sets and initial lymphatics were much
greater in the injured ti ssue. The number of small
ves icles and vacuole rose greatly in both types of
vessels. Both also had many open endothelial junctions
- although no doubt from different causes.
It was concluded that, just as chronic inflammation
is probably caused by excessive accumulations of
proteins, so chronic lymphoedema is probably a
form of chronic inflammation.


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