| Abstract |
Lymphatic drainage from bone and periosteum is still a matter of discussion. Whereas most research workers agree that compact bone does not contain lymphatic vessels (5,6,7,8,9), some maintain that "osseous lymph" drains via Lymphatics of the periosteum (6). Large lymphatics have no characteristic morfologic feature that clearly distinguishes them from blood vessels of similar size. These lymphatics, therefore, can be recognized with some degree of certainty only by injection techniques, a method not readily clinically applicable. On the other hand, lymphatic capillaries lack a basal lamina and in this respect differ from blood capillaries (10). Accordingly, using light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), periosteum can be examined in order to detect small endothelial-lined vascular channels without basal lamina (i.e. lymphatic capillaries). LM has the advantage that relatively large areas can be examined. Its disadvantages are that endothelium and basal lamina cannot be visualised in the same section, and therefore nearby or adjacent sections (mirror sections) have to be compared. By contrast TEM allows endothelium and basal lamina, each with its characteristic ultrastructure (10), to be detected in the same section. The main disadvantage of TEM is that only comparatively small amounts of tissue can be examined at one time. Used together, however, LM and TEM should provide a reliable assesment of whether periosteum contains lymphatic capillaries or not. In the present study, 23 periosteal biopsies from 22 patients operated upon in the orthopedic department at Herlev Hospital were examined. All specimens were exised as remote from the operated fracture or osteotomy site as technically feasible and appeared grossly as normal periosteum. Both periosteum and the underlying compact bone were represented. Each specimen was fixed promptly after removal and after completed fixation the periosteum was gently freed from the underlying bone with a sharp rasor blade. 6 specimens were fixed in formalin, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Adjacent sections were stained by the immunoperoxi-dase method for factor VIII and for laminin and examined with light microscopy. 17 specimens were fixed in Karnowski's fixative, postfixed in OsO , dehydrated and epoxy 4 embedded. Ultrathin sections were stained with uranil acetate and lead citrate and examined using a JEOL 100B electron microscope. Irrespective of the method of examination, only blood capillaries were depicted. In none of the specimens were lymphatic capillaries seen.
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Λεμφαγγεία του ανθρώπινου περιοστέου. Ιστοχημική μελέτη για την απόδειξη ή μη της υπάρξεώς τους
