A note on the histochemical and morphological characterization of the asbestoid degeneration of cartilage.

Using only one histologic preparation and under the light microscope, the simple Picrosirius-polarization method permitted the histochemical characterization of the collagenous nature of amianthoid fibers in file cases of salivary gland tumors. In this regard the foregoing results agree with the electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction observations recorded in the literature. Not only did the Picrosirius-polarization method permit the precise characterization of the collagenous nature of asbestoid change but it was also useful for studying the degree of collagen polymerization in the lesion. Collagen molecules in the amianthoid fibers showed hyperpolymerization whereas the molecules in the compact areas were disoriented. Since the foregoing results demonstrate that the Picrosirius-polarization method is a simple and sensitive procedure for detecting asbestoid change in cartilage sections obtained from paraffin-embedded tissues, the usefulness of this technique for studying file cases is evident.