[Comparative studies on the ultrastructure of human lung and sceletal muscle in shock. II (author's transl)]

The ultrastructure of skeletal muscle biopsies was investigated and compared to lung biopsy material of the same patient in shock. We found almost complete conformity of ultrastructural changes in the micro-vascular system. Capillary endothelia of both tissue types react in a similar way with a more or less distinct swelling of endothelial cells and rarefaction of cell structures as well as constriction of the vascular lumina. Despite an intact structure of the capillary endothelia there is development of oedema in the perivascular areas with escape of plasma components, erythrocytes and granulocytes into the muscle interstitium. Finally, more distant tissue regions are becoming oedematous. While mainly lysosomal enzymes from the large number of infiltrating granulocytes, as well as fatty globules, are made responsible for the damage in the shock lung, the damage of the capillary region in the sceletal musculature is almost certainly caused by hypoxia. We consider muscle biopsy a suitable method to obtain a better knowledge of the microcirculatory situation and of the reaction of ultrastructures in shock.