[Segmental mediolytic arteriopathy].

Three cases of segmental mediolytic arteriopathy occurring in abdominal muscular arteries are presented. This unusual arterial lesion is noted for cytoplasmic vacuolar degeneration of the arterial smooth muscle cells, intercellular vacuoles of various sizes, and focal arterial wall defects designated "arterial gaps". This spectrum of histologic changes can progress to formation of aneurysms with rupture of the vascular wall. The extensive intraabdominal haemorrhage led to the death of all our patients. Pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of this lesion is discussed.