[A pathomorphological study of atherosclerotic plaque with central depression in the elderly]

A total of 161 atherosclerotic plaques from 50 aortas in elderly autopsy cases were pathomorphologically investigated to clarify the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaque with central depression. Atherosclerotic plaques with central depression, with well defined borders were employed for this study, ulcerated plaques being excluded. Pathomorphological findings showed that plaques with central depression could be divided into four groups according to their derivation respectively; (a) fused lesion of multiple fibrous plaque, (b) regressing lesion of plaque, (c) healing lesion of ulcerated atheromatous plaque, (d) mixed type. Finally, it was suggested that atherosclerotic regression may cause some central depression in the atheromatous plaques.