Eye, Cornea - Mineralization


comment:
Corneal mineralization in rats and mice can be a sequela to trauma or inflammation, can result from exposure to topical irritants or systemic toxins, or can occur as a spontaneous change. One form of mineralization that occurs spontaneously in rats and mice is known clinically as corneal dystrophy, band keratopathy, or calcific keratopathy. Clinically, white, punctuate to linear corneal opacities are first noted in the central (axial) cornea in the zone corresponding to the interpalpebral fissure. Microscopically, linear to irregular aggregates of mineralization are present within or just under the central corneal epithelial basement membrane ( Figure 1


recommendation:
When mineralization is considered a primary change, it should be diagnosed and assigned a severity grade. The location of the mineral deposits (e.g., subepithelial) should be described in the pathology narrative. When mineralization is secondary to inflammation, it should not be diagnosed separately, unless warranted by severity, though it should be described in the narrative.references:
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Yamate J, Tajima M, Maruyama Y, Kudow S. 1987. Observations on soft tissue calcification in DBA/2NCrj mice in comparison with CRJ:CD-1 mice. Lab Anim 21:289-298. Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3695386
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Web page last updated on: October 24, 2014