Ultrastructural damage of crural muscle in post-thrombotic syndrome.

The fine structure of crural muscles in 11 patients suffering from post-thrombotic syndrome was investigated. The contractile elements and the mitochondria were mainly involved in the pathological changes. Glycogen granules in increased number and strong lipid vacuolization were shown. The focal occurrence of damages has to be emphasized. Beside, ultrastructural changes are induced by hypoxia and by other factors. It can be established that limited functional capacity of the lower extremities in post-thrombotic syndrome is due not only to chronic haemodynamic insufficiency but to the serious fine-structural damage.