CHANGES IN THE BONES OF EXTREMITIES AMPUTATED BECAUSE OF ARTERIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Abstract

Histopathologic descriptions of bones of extremities amputated because of gangrene, contingent on vascular occlusion, are practically nonexistent. In caring for patients in whom gangrene of the extremities is developing, it is often the practice, in the course of clinical observation, to make roentgenographic records of the diseased parts. The records are generally taken with a view to ascertaining the extent, severity and character of the changes in the soft tissues and, more particularly, of those in the bones. But the sparsity of pathologic studies of bones of gangrenous extremities necessarily limits the intelligent roentgenographic interpretation of any changes that may exist. The presence of extensive roentgenographic changes in all of the bones of the right lower extremity of a patient for whom a diagnosis of thrombus in the right common iliac artery, probably extending into the aorta, was made, gave stimulus to our study (fig. 1). By this work we