Radiofrequency Ablation Effect on Histo- and Fibroarchitectonics of Plantar Aponeurosis in Dogs with Fasciopathy Simulated by Alprostadil

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate radiofrequency ablation (RFA) effect on histo- and fibroarchitectonics of plantar aponeurosis in dogs with fasciopathy simulated by alprostan.Material and methods. Methods of light microscopy (Van Gieson, Weigert–Van Gieson and picro-allory staining with alcian and toluidine blue) and morphometry were used in the study. The study involved sections of plantar aponeurosis in animals of the control group (without fasciopathy, n=8), the main group (with RFA, n=8) and the comparison group (without RFA, n=8).Results. The study demonstrated that a single exposure to RFA after simulated alprostane fasciopathy (four-time injection of the medication during 35 days) did not cause an increase or occurrence of additional pathological changes in the injection area after 7 days. Edema, microbleeding, infiltration by lymphocytes, plasmocytes and leukocytes, dystrophy in the form of mucoid swelling, collapse and rupture of collagen fibers were revealed in animals of the main group, as well as in animals of the comparison group. Processes of adaptation and regeneration of the connective tissue in both groups were manifested in the form of a large number of activated fibrocytes, fibroblasts, microvessels, and the formation of collagen fibers. All these together resulted in the same type of heterochronous and heteromorphic spatial histotopographic changes in the aponeurosis – its structure became more cellular, but less ordered in space. Foci of the chaotic distribution of damaged and newly formed collagen fibers appeared. However, exposure to RFA under moderate power (energy) conditions destroyed cells, thin and damaged collagen fibers, and prevented the development of irreversible fibrinoid swelling and granulation tissue around the foci of dystrophy. Together, all these changes reduced the possibility of gross cicatricial rearrangements in the foci of pathologically altered collagen networks.Conclusion. A single exposure to RFA prevented the development of irreversible stromal-vascular dysproteinoses, inflammatory processes and gross cicatricial changes in the connective tissue of the plantar aponeurosis in dogs. These changes can be determined as reasons for the positive clinical effect of RFA on the foci of pathologically altered collagen networks in fasciopathies.