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The spectrum of chronic periaortitis
1Nuffield Department of Pathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Histopathology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Advanced atherosclerosis is frequently linked to chronic periaortitis, a condition involving inflammation of the aortic adventitia. This review suggests the term chronic periaortitis accurately describes both subclinical and clinical presentations associated with atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Pathology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Advanced atherosclerotic plaques are prevalent in the aorta and arteries.
- Adventitial inflammation is a common finding associated with these plaques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the histological association between atherosclerosis and chronic periaortitis.
- To determine the appropriateness of the term chronic periaortitis for a spectrum of inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Histological review of 440 sections of atherosclerotic aortas and arteries.
- Analysis of 20 cases diagnosed with clinical chronic periaortitis, including inflammatory aneurysms and idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Main Results:
- 85% of examined aortas and arteries showed advanced atherosclerotic plaques.
- 92% of these plaques exhibited adventitial inflammation, with 49% showing subclinical chronic periaortitis.
- Clinical chronic periaortitis cases showed no significant differences, except for increased aortic diameter in inflammatory aneurysms.
Conclusions:
- Chronic periaortitis is a suitable term for the spectrum of chronic adventitial inflammation linked to atherosclerosis.
- This inflammation is associated with advanced atherosclerotic plaques and medial thinning of the aorta.