Vascular convolutes in the brain: a peculiar entity

Area of Science:

• Neuropathology
• Histology
• Cerebrovascular Research

Background:

• Vascular convolutes, described in 1987, are linked to brain aging.
• Their proposed mechanism involves arteriolar tortuosity.
• Potential association with brain infarct or hemorrhage warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Systematically assess brain vascular convolutes and related lesions.
• Differentiate vascular convolutes from vascular tortuosities.
• Evaluate their prevalence and clinical significance.

Main Methods:

• Histological examination of 70 autopsied brain cases.
• Utilized Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and Gömöri silver staining.
• Focused on paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Main Results:

• Only two cases exhibited specific features of vascular convolutes.
• Vascular tortuosities were more frequently observed.
• Vascular tortuosities appeared distinct from vascular convolutes.

Conclusions:

• Vascular convolutes and vascular tortuosities are dissimilar pathological entities.
• Both lesions are less prevalent in autopsied brains than literature suggests.
• Mechanisms and pathogenic significance require further discussion.