Special Senses System

Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization

Narrative
Comment:
The corneal stroma is normally avascular, but damage from various causes may result in neovascularization. Corneal neovascularization (Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window and Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window) is characterized by the proliferation of multiple small blood vessels in the corneal stroma. There is often concurrent stromal inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia. In most cases of neovascularization, the primary insult is inflammation resulting from various causes. However, neovascularization can also develop in the cornea of laboratory rodents fed diets deficient in certain nutrients.
Recommendations:
When neovascularization occurs without concurrent inflammation, it should be diagnosed and assigned a severity grade. When neovascularization is considered a feature of inflammation, it should not be diagnosed separately, unless warranted by severity, but should be described in the pathology narrative.
References:

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Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20019372

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Hoffart L, Matonti F, Conrath J, Daniel L, Ridings B, Masson GS, Chavane F. 2010. Inhibition of corneal neovascularization after alkali burn: Comparison of different doses of bevacizumab in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 38:346-353.

Full Text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02252.x/full

National Toxicology Program. 1988. NTP TR-331. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Malonaldehyde, Sodium Salt (3-Hydroxy-2-propenal, Sodium Salt) (CAS No. 24382-04-5) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/8898

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Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.06-0728

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  • Image of cornea neovascularization in the eye from a male F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are multiple small blood vessels in the stroma (arrows) with concurrent inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia.

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Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are multiple small blood vessels in the stroma (arrows) with concurrent inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia.
Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Multiple small blood vessels are proliferating in the stroma (arrows); there is concurrent stromal inflammation.

Author

Margarita M. Gruebbel, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Ruth E. Hurley, DVM, PHD, DACVP
Senior Veterinary Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
North Brunswick, NJ

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