Bone metaplasia with functional bone marrow in arterial calcification of two autopsied patients

Abstract

Osteoid metaplasia with functioning marrow is a rare pathological process in arterial calcifications, associated to the asymptomatic development of atherosclerotic plaques. Objective: To describe morphological aspects of bone metaplasia in arterial calcifications and its pathogenesis in two cases. Macroscopic examination of iliac arteries was performed and fragments of approximately 2 cm of the right and left iliac arteries were collected for microscopic analysis of atherosclerosis. These fragments were processed histologically and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). A pronounced atherosclerosis, characterized by diffuse atheroma plaques and foci of calcifications, was evidenced. In both cases, in intima layer of atherosclerotic plaque in right iliac artery, a dilatation, and the presence of bone metaplasia with bone trabeculae, calcifications, and functioning bone marrow with red blood cells and megakaryocytes were observed. Due to the rarity of this lesion, its description allows better characterization of morphological data and pathogenesis.