[Pathogenesis of chest wall abnormalities--electron microscopy studies and trace element analysis of rib cartilage].

In 71 patients with chest deformity (Group B) and in 43 patients who underwent thoracotomy due to heart disease (Group BN), cartilage of the ribs was removed intraoperatively. Analyses of trace elements showed a highly significant decrease in zinc, coupled with a significant increase in magnesium and calcium in Group B. Electron microscope studies in the cartilage of patients with chest deformity revealed chondrocytes with a normal structure only in some parts, but many degenerative altered chondrocytes with vacuoles of fat and osmiophilic depositions, as well as atypical fibrils and so-called "long-spacing collagen".