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A morphological and chemical study of calcification of the choroid plexus

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Summary

Human choroid plexus was submitted to low temperature ashing (LTA) in order to isolate the calcification. The ashing residue was then subjected to morphological, chemical and structural studies using technics such as scanning electron microscopy, flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry, infrared spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Morphologically, the calcification consisted of wound-up fibers forming granules with a diameter of 0.05 to 0.15 mm. The concretions were identified as cristalline Ca3(PO4)2 and hydroxylapatite. The content of trace elements was high, but within the limits found in other biological apatites. In some cases, however, the Fe content exceeded these limit values.

Zusammenfassung

Plexus chorioidei menschlicher Gehirne wurden bei niedriger Temperatur verascht, um die Verkalkungen zu isolieren. Der Aschenrückstand wurde dann morphologisch, chemisch sowie in bezug auf seine Struktur mit Hilfe von Scanning-Elektronenmikroskopie, Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie mit und ohne Flamme sowie infraroter Spektrometrie und Röntgendiffraktionsmethode untersucht. Morphologisch bestanden die Verkalkungen aus aufgewickelten Fasern, die Granula mit einem Durchmesser zwischen 0,05 und 0,15 mm bildeten. Diese bestanden aud kristallinem Ca3(PO4)2 und Hydroxylapatit. Der Gehalt an Spurenelementen ist hoch, jedoch innerhalb der bei anderen biologischen Apatiten üblichen Grenzen. In einzelnen Fällen allerdings überschreitet der Eisengehalt diese Grenzwerte.

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Michotte, Y., Massart, D.L., Lowenthal, A. et al. A morphological and chemical study of calcification of the choroid plexus. J. Neurol. 216, 127–133 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312946

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312946

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