Morphometry of intrarenal arteries in progressive sclerosis

Vessels of known position in the vascular tree of the kidneys of two cases with a long history of progressive systemic sclerosis--one normotensive, one hypertensive--were examined morphometrically. Medial thickness, intimal thickness and the relative content of collagen and elastin in the vascular media were measured. Smooth muscle nuclei were counted in the arterial cross section. These morphometric data were compared with those obtained from two autopsy cases--one with a history of essential hypertension, one without any hypertensive history. The findings suggest that progressive sclerosis induces intimal thickening in all branches of the renal artery down to a distented diameter of 200 microns. In the case where progressive sclerosis was complicated by arterial hypertension increased medial thicknesses were found, similar to the findings in the case with a history of essential hypertension.