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Report of a Case and Electron Microscopic Study

Tung Pui Poon, MD; Jose Kanshepolsky, MD; Victor Tchertkoff, MD

JAMA. 1968;205(12):875-878.

Abstract
Necrotizing aortitis with rupture is a rare complication of radiation of mediastinal structure. To our knowledge, this is the first electron microscopic study of radiation changes of the aorta. Collagen fibers were preserved, but there was slit-like irregular fragmentation of elastic fibers. Marcias-Rojas and Castro¹ previously reported five cases of postradiation rupture of the aorta, all associated with mediastinitis. Our patient had an empyema. It is postulated that infection combined with radiation necrosis may have triggered the rupture.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pathology, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 1901 First Ave, New York 10029 (Dr. Poon).

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