Histo-pathological Effects of Thorium Dioxide on Lymphatic Glands of Animals Visualized by the Menville-Ané Method

Abstract

The method of radiological visualization of the lymphatic glands by the injection of colloidal thorium dioxide (thorotrast) was described by Menville and Ané. 1 In this work the material was introduced subcutaneously in the area of the perivascular lymph spaces. The subsequent drainage to the lymphatic glands produced visualization not alone of the glandular structure but also, at tunes, the lymphatic vessels (Fig. 1). Through this means, the opportunity has been afforded of studying the host response of the lymphatic glands thus visualized, in 5 white rats, 6 rabbits, and 3 dogs.

The tissue reactions produced have been, in certain instances, unusual and unique in their aspect. It is to be noted that aside from the injected material, these animals have been visualized with the X-ray. While it is presumed that the changes noted are due to thorium alone because of the very slight exposure to the X-ray, nevertheless the combination of these factors is to be considered. Further animal experiments separating these activities are under way.

In observations heretofore made upon both animals and the human subjects injected intravenously, the phagocytosis of thorium by cells of the reticulo-endothelial system forms the outstanding description. Huguenin, Nemours and Albot 2 describe, however, the production of a hepatitis and cirrhosis in the rabbit presenting thereby a connective tissue reaction apparently responding to hepatic cell injury.

In the animals of these experiments injected subcutaneously and the lymphatic glands thereby visualized, there occurs a distinctly stimulating reaction upon the connective tissues or stromal unit of the glands, with loss of the lymphoid structure. At times, associated with the connective tissue increment there occurs an enlargement and evident stimulation of the cortical nodules, indicated especially by the great increase of the germinal or keim centers.