Summary of histologic findings in each group
| Group | H&E | Masson Trichrome | Immunostains | TUNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks (n = 5) | Dome/lumen Unorganized thrombus (n = 5) | No collagen deposition (n = 5) | • Positive SMA (n = 5); mean number = 5 ± 3 • Weak positive myosin heavy chain (n = 5) • Weak positive vimentin (n = 5) | No TUNEL staining performed in this group due to lack of nucleated cells |
| Neck Unorganized thrombus, no endothelial cell lining (n = 2) | Indication Myofibroblasts (n = 5) | |||
| Unorganized thrombus, partial endothelial cell lining (n = 3) | ||||
| 4 Weeks (n = 6) | Dome/lumen Loose connective tissue (n = 3) | Disorganized collagen fibers (n = 1) | • Positive SMA (n = 6); mean number = 45 ± 9 • Mildly positive myosin heavy chain (n = 6) • Mildly positive vimentin (n = 6) • Mildly positive desmin (n = 6) | Sample size (n = 4) TUNEL positive (n = 4) |
| Unorganized thrombus (n = 3) | No collagen deposition (n = 5) | Indication Myofibroblastic immuno-phenotype (n = 6) | ||
| Neck Unorganized fibrin and/or laminated thrombus (n = 5) | ||||
| 10 Weeks (n = 5) | Dome/lumen Unorganized thrombus (n = 2) | No collagen deposition (n = 5) | • Sparse SMA (n = 5); mean number = 10 ± 5 • Sparse vimentin (n = 5) • Negative myosin heavy chain (n = 5) • Negative desmin (n = 5) | Sample size (n = 5) Sparse TUNEL positive cells (n = 5) |
| Vascularized, loose, hypocellular tissue (n = 3) | Indication Myofibroblastic immuno-phenotype (n = 5) | |||
| Neck Thin layers of fibrinous/fibrous tissue (n = 5) | ||||
| 16 Weeks (n = 6) | Dome/lumen Neovascular, loose, hypocellular tissue (n = 6) | No collagen deposition (n = 6) | • Negative SMA (n = 6); mean number = 0 ± 0 • Negative myosin heavy chain (n = 6) • Negative vimentin (n = 6) • Negative desmin (n = 6) | Sample size (n = 1) No TUNEL positive cells (n = 1) |
| Neck Thin layers of fibrinous/fibrous tissue (n = 5) | ||||
| 24 Weeks (n = 6) | Dome/lumen Loose, hypocellular tissue (n = 6) | No collagen deposition (n = 6) | • Negative SMA (n = 6); mean number = 0 ± 0 • Negative myosin heavy chain (n = 6) • Negative vimentin (n = 6) • Negative desmin (n = 6) | Sample size (n = 5) No TUNEL positive cells (n = 5) |
| Neck Thin layers of fibrous tissue (n = 5) | ||||
| Unorganized fibrin (n = 1) |
Note:—TUNEL indicates terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick and end-labeling; SMA, smooth muscle actin.