DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages

TRANSLATE TRANSLATE CLOSE SEARCH modal-close SEARCH DERMNET

breadcrumbs Home » Topics A–Z » Cholesterol emboli pathology

Cholesterol emboli pathology

Authors: Dr Achala Liyanage, Dermatology Fellow, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand; Assoc Prof Patrick Emanuel, Dermatopathologist, Auckland, New Zealand. January 2015.

Cholesterol emboli pathology — codes and concepts
open

Cholesterol embolism occurs spontaneously or following vascular surgery. Cutaneous manifestations range from purpura and livedo to ulceration and gangrene.

Histology of cholesterol emboli

Microscopically, clefts indicating the sites of cholesterol deposition are seen in arterioles and arteries in the dermis and subcutis. Fibrin thrombi often surround the cholesterol. There may be extensive surrounding necrosis.

Cholesterol emboli pathology
Cholesterol emboli pathology

Figure 1
Cholesterol emboli pathology

Figure 2
Cholesterol emboli pathology

Figure 3
Cholesterol emboli pathology

Figure 4
Cholesterol emboli pathology

Figure 5

Images provided by Dr Duncan Lamont, Waikato Hospital

Special studies in cholesterol emboli

Usually, none are required.

Differential diagnosis of cholesterol emboli

Deposits of atrial myxoma.

Deposit of material from intravenous injections (usually compounds mixed with illicit drugs).

See smartphone apps to check your skin.
[Sponsored content]

 

Related information

 

References

  • Weedon’s Skin Pathology (Third edition, 2010). David Weedon

On DermNet NZ

Books about skin diseases

See the DermNet NZ bookstore.