Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...

, also called medial calcific sclerosis, is a form of arteriosclerosis or vessel hardening, where calcium deposits form in the middle layer of the walls of medium sized vessels (the tunica media

Tunica media

The tunica media is the middle layer of an artery or vein.-Artery:It is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue...

). It is often not clinical unless it is severe.

It is named for Johann Georg Mönckeberg.

Presentation

This human medial calcification, Mönckeberg’s sclerosis, is common and occurs independently of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...

, . It is more frequent in people over 50 years of age and diabetics. In advanced cases of Monckeberg's medial calcific sclerosis, vessels may become rigid and lose their distensibility. It can easily be seen as an opaque vessel on normal x-rays and purple material on histological slides.

Associated conditions

It is usually more benign than other forms of arteriosclerosis because it does not cause narrowing of the lumen, but can still be associated with important medical conditions. Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis is most commonly found in the radial or ulnar arteries causing "pipestem" arteries, which will present as a bounding pulse at the end of the calcific zone. It may also result in "pulselessness."

It is associated with trophic foot ulceration and peripheral artery occlusive disease

Peripheral artery occlusive disease

Peripheral vascular disease , commonly referred to as peripheral arterial disease or peripheral artery occlusive disease , refers to the obstruction of large arteries not within the coronary, aortic arch vasculature, or brain. PVD can result from atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes leading to...

.

Its presence predicts risk of cardiovascular events and leg amputation

Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...

 in diabetic patients.

Mönckeberg's medial arteriosclerosis was diagnosed in 34 of 297 patients referred for pelvic radiography for a variety of reasons. It is strongly associated with metabolic bone disease, especially osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...

, whether induced by corticosteroid

Corticosteroid

Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte...

s or arising spontaneously.