Johnson C P, Lawler W, Burns J
Sub-Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Liverpool.
J Clin Pathol. 1993 Nov;46(11):1000-3. doi: 10.1136/jcp.46.11.1000.
To assess morphometrically the structural changes, which occur with ageing, along the length of the vertebral artery.
A series of 36 vessels were removed at necropsy from subjects aged between 9 months and 86 years. Image analysis was used to measure the medial width, the circumference, the intimal: medial area ratio and the adventitial: medial area ratio along each artery. The artery from a case of fatal vertebral artery dissection, which occurred after a game of cricket and then chiropractic neck manipulation, was also examined in the same manner. The proteoglycan accumulation in the media was quantified using an eyepiece graticule.
The vertebral arteries were, on average, larger around the origin of the vessel from the subclavian artery, and the adventitia were relatively thicker at this point, and also after piercing the dura mater. The media were much thinner within the intracranial segment and pronounced intimal thickening occurred with increasing age. The dissected artery showed undoubtable pre-existent structural abnormalities, in the form of massive proteoglycan accumulation, which predisposes an artery to dissection.
These data should help pathologists faced with the task of assessing the underlying structural integrity of the vessel wall in cases of vertebral artery injury.
通过形态测量评估椎动脉全长随年龄增长而发生的结构变化。
在尸检时从9个月至86岁的受试者身上取下36条血管。采用图像分析测量每条动脉的内侧宽度、周长、内膜与中膜面积比以及外膜与中膜面积比。对一名在板球比赛及随后的颈部按摩治疗后发生致命性椎动脉夹层的病例的动脉也采用同样的方式进行了检查。使用目镜测微尺对中膜中的蛋白聚糖积聚进行定量。
椎动脉在起自锁骨下动脉处平均较粗大，此处及穿破硬脑膜后外膜相对较厚。颅内段中膜薄得多，且内膜增厚随年龄增长而明显。夹层动脉显示出无疑存在的结构异常，表现为大量蛋白聚糖积聚，这使动脉易于发生夹层。
这些数据应有助于病理学家评估椎动脉损伤病例中血管壁潜在结构完整性的任务。
