Original scientific paper

Histopathology of the Pterygium in Population on Croatian Island Rab

Božidar Vojniković
Sanja Njirić
Gordana Zamolo
Ivan Toth
Josip Španjol
Miran Čoklo

Abstract

In the 1975–2004 period, 130 cases of pterygium were estimated, 83 males and 47 females, on a small island Rab. Island
Rab is located in the north part of the Adriatic sea, which has very high index of sun radiation. Pterygium is usually
histopathologically defined as a hyperplasia of conjunctival tissue, elastoid degeneration of subepithelieum and
fragmentation of Bowman’s membrane. Our histopathological findings in 73 eyes are following: conjunctiva with neovascularisation,
leukocyte margination and subepithelial basophilic degeneration, proliferation of conjunctival tissue,
acanthosis and squamous metaplasia, and mucinous elements, focaly present plasma cells, focuses of increased pigmentisation
in basal epithelial layers, tenon capsule with edema, diffuse neovascularisation and fragmentation of fibrils.
These findings suggest that in severe cases of pterygium histopathologically exists precancerosis. In conclusion, on the
basis of these histopathological findings, especially in the Tenon capsule, we suggest that for surgical procedure of pterygium
the excision of the Tenon capsule, extensively under pterygium, is necessary.

Keywords

pterygium; histopathology; surgery

Hrčak ID:

27419

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27419

Publication date:

16.1.2007.

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