histology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Typical morphological patterns:

  • kidneys - thrombi may be seen in renal glomeruli, and may be associated with microinfarcts or renal cortical necrosis
  • lungs - microthrombi may occur in alveolar capillaries producing a similar histological pattern to that seen in the acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • brain - microinfarcts and haemorrhages
  • adrenals - massive haemorrhage in meningococcemia may give rise to the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
  • placenta - widespread thrombi with atrophy of cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast