Endocrine System

Pancreatic Islets - Angiectasis

Narrative
Comment:
Angiectasis typically involves irregular dilated spaces that contain erythrocytes and/or plasma with a negligible endothelial cell lining. This is a spontaneous change with no known association with, or exacerbation by, treatment. Typically only one affected islet is seen in a section. There may also be hemosiderin pigment along with erythrocytes (Figure 4).
Recommendations:
When present, this change should be diagnosed and graded. A severity grade will most often be minimal if the angiectasis is not widespread. If angiectasis or related changes are observed in other tissues, a comment to this effect should be added to the pathology narrative. If hemosiderin is present, a concurrent diagnosis of pigment is not necessary.
References:

Boorman GA, Sills RC. 1999. Exocrine and endocrine pancreas. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 185-206.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm
  • Image of angiectasis in the pancreatic islet from a male F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Irregularly dilated spaces in this islet contain plasma and erythrocytes in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study.

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<p>Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Irregularly dilated spaces in this islet contain plasma and erythrocytes in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Irregularly dilated spaces in this islet contain plasma and erythrocytes in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study.
<p>Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated spaces in this islet contain erythrocytes in a male F344/N from a chronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated spaces in this islet contain erythrocytes in a male F344/N from a chronic study.
<p>Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated vascular channels in this islet contain erythrocytes in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a subchronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated vascular channels in this islet contain erythrocytes in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a subchronic study.
<p>Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated vascular channels in this islet contain erythrocytes and some hemosiderin pigment in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - angiectasis. Dilated vascular channels in this islet contain erythrocytes and some hemosiderin pigment in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study.

Authors

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Georgette D. Hill, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Toxicologic Pathologist
Assistant Pathology Program Manager
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc. Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Thomas J. Rosol, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Professor of Veterinary Biosciences
Senior Advisor, Life Sciences, Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Amy Brix, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC