Caseous Necrosis

Triacylglycerol. Triglyceride a compound consisting of three molecules of fatty acids esterified to glycerol. It is a neutral fat synthesized from carbohydrates for storage in animal adipose cells. On enzymatic hydrolysis, it releases free fatty acids in the blood. Tuberculosis. Any of the infectious diseases of man and animals caused by species Mycobacterium and characterized by the formation of tubercles and caseous necrosis in the tissues. 

Figure 16.6. The four primary types of necrosis. (A) Coagulative. On the cut surface of this canine kidney, there is a dark red, wedge-shaped area of coagulative necrosis caused by blockage of the blood supply to the area (infarction). The pale areas are older infarcts. (B) Caseous. This bovine lymph node contains a large whitish, cheese-like area of caseous necrosis characterized by loss of the normal tissue architecture. (C) Liquefactive necrosis, equine brain. There are two large areas of liquefaction with extensive loss of brain tissue. (D) Fat necrosis, bovine abdominal fat. Necrotic fat is firm and chalky white and often becomes mineralized. See color insert.

A 79-year-old woman presented with induration of the right leg three months after receiving acupuncture in this area (94). Radiography showed a focal dystrophic calcification at this point and histological studies showed suppurative granulomatous inflammation with microabscesses and caseous necrosis due to infection with Mycobacterium chelonae. She made a full recovery after antibiotic treatment. 

Fig. 12.6a,b. Tuberculous lymphadenitis, a Transverse sonogram of the right upper quadrant abdomen shows hypoechoic lymph node enlargement at porta hepatis (arrows), b Abdominal CT shows multiple peripancreatic lymph nodes (1) enlargement. The enlarged lymph nodes show central low attenuation with marginal rim enhancement due to central caseous necrosis... 

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