Chronic thrombosis of major pulmonary arteries.

Chronic massive thrombosis of major pulmonary arteries, usually described in 0.1% of autopsies, was found in 68 of 7,753 autopsies (0.9%) in our hospital.

Vascular lesions following radiation.

The special radiation sensitivity of the vascular system is mainly linked to that of endothelial cells, which are perhaps the most radiation-vulnerable elements of mesenchymal tissues. Within the vascular tree, radiation injures most often capillaries, sinusoids, and small arteries, in that order. Lesions of veins are observed less often, but in certain tissues the veins are regularly damaged (e.

Bizarre (pseudomalignant) granulation-tissue reactions following ionizing-radiation exposure. A microscopic, immunohistochemical, and flow-cytometric study.

Two patients developed extremely bizarre (pseudomalignant) granulation-tissue reactions in the larynx and facial sinuses, following radiation therapy for carcinoma. Containing pleomorphic spindle cells and numerous (sometimes atypical) mitotic figures, both tumefactive lesions simulated high grade malignancies. While the pleomorphic cells contained vimentin immunoreactivity, they were nonreactive for low or high molecular weight keratin.

The autopsy as a vehicle for the lifetime education of pathologists.

When the autopsy is properly performed, correctly interpreted, and thoroughly presented to the hospital medical staff, and when the diagnoses are coded and the records, slides, and other materials are appropriately stored, the autopsy is a most effective vehicle for the pathologist's lifetime continued education. It provides a continuous "refresher course" in the basic biology and pathogenesis of disease. It teaches the pathologist and, in turn, he can teach the hospital staff about injuries induced by new agents of disease, natural or iatrogenic, or those especially prevalent in his own community.