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Figure 7 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Figure 7

From: Microstructure and mineral composition of dystrophic calcification associated with the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Figure 7

Bright field and polarized light microscopy. (a, f and h) Bright field and (b to e and g) polarized light microscopy of (a to d and h) Calc3 and (e to g) Calc7. a and b are the same fields showing small mineralized nodules (arrows) interspersed within a collagenous matrix as illuminated by polarized light (asterisks in b and c). In some cases, the nodules are devoid of collagen (arrow heads in b), and in other cases, wisps of collagen can be detected by the polarized light (arrows in b and c). In other areas (d), adipocytes (A), which are usually surrounded by a delicate lattice visualized by polarized light (black arrows), a lack of polarization surrounding adipocytes (white arrows) near areas of mineral (M) is noted. In areas of mineral that are completely encapsulated by a collagenous matrix (e, white arrows), mineral was found to be completely devoid of collagen as demonstrated by the lack of polarization. f and g are the same fields. Areas of woven bone-like material (WB in g) were found within acellular lakes of mineral (M), with cells embedded within the matrix (arrows in f). Occasionally, hematopoietic tissue (HP in h) appeared in close proximity to blood vessels (BV) and mineral (M).

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