Репозиторий Университета

© 2018 Russian Electronic Journal of Radiology.All right reserved. The literature data which demonstrate the possibilities of using computed tomography (CT) with contrast agents for the analysis of the deceased patients' bodies are presented. It is shown that postmortem CT angiography significantly expands the possibility of so-called noninvasive autopsy. The information on the features of the use of different types of con-trast agents as well as the main methods of postmortem CT angiography are presented. The use of targeted postmortem CT angiography allows to study the features of blood supply and to identify pathological changes in blood vessels of certain organs, in particular, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular lesions. CT angiography of the whole body, especially multiphase postmortem CT angiography, allows to visualization of the cardiovascular system as a whole. The use of CT angiography is most effective for determining the source and volume of internal bleeding, the severity of thrombosis and the degree of stenosis of blood vessels, the type and prevalence of vascular malformations. We noted the complexity of the application and possible artifacts of postmortem CT angiography. It was concluded that postmortem CT angiography can be used to analyze of the bodies and clarify the tanatogenesis of deceased patients. We accented that postmortem CT angiography cannot fully replace the traditional autopsy despite its high specificity and sensitivity with regard to visualization of fatal bleeding.

© 2018 Russian Electronic Journal of Radiology.All right reserved. Purpose: In recent years, whole-body MRI have been increasingly used in the field of oncological radiology owing to its advantages such as: yield of high-quality diagnostic information in relatively short scan time, lack of radioisotope or intravenous contrast use, and comparingly low examination cost in contrast to traditional nuclear medicine techniques. Aim of this article is to bring the overview of whole-body MRI as a technique and current applications of its use in oncological radiology.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Placebos are drugs, devices, or other treatments that are physically and pharmacologically inert. The placebo effects are therapeutic responses to the context of the treatment process. They are mediated by factors, such as training of a patient, his/her expectations associated with treatment, as well as social conditions, the features of cognitive functioning, etc. and can affect the clinical and physiological responses caused by the health status. The analgesic effects of placebo in different types of pain syndromes reach 25-80%. The formation of placebo analgesia involves the brain structures that belong to the pain matrix and are implicated in the basic processes of perception, in the mechanisms of pain modulation, and in a number of other cognitive and affective processes, as well as in the emotional reactions not caused by pain. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of placebo analgesia can optimize the strategy of current pain therapy.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Objective: to investigate the short- and long-term results of surgical median nerve decompression via classical and minimally invasive approaches in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as factors that influence surgical outcomes. Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 70 patients (13 men and 57 women) aged 36 to 84 years (mean age, 62±10.8 years) who had undergone median nerve decompression. Surgery was performed in the classical way in 35 patients (Group 1) and via a minimally invasive access in the remaining 35 patients (Group 2). The efficiency of treatment was evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and a visual analog scale for pain before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, as well as from patient satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Results. No complications of surgical treatment were detected. There was a marked reduction in pain and other neuropathic disorders just 1 month after surgery and a substantial hand functional improvement following 6 months. After 12 months, in Group 1, the mean BCTQ Symptom Severity Scale and Functional Deficit Scale scores decreased from 2.76 to 1.15 (p≤0.01) and from 2.72 to 1.24 (p≤0.01), respectively; in Group 2, these dropped from 2.86 to 1.14 (p≤0.01) and from 2.95 to 1.24 (p≤0.01), respectively. Complete recovery from sensory problems occurred in 24 (69%) patients in Group 1 and in 25 (71%) patients in Group 2; their partial recovery was observed in 11 (31%) and 10 (29%) patients in these groups, respectively. One 1 month following decompression, the patients in Group 1 had more severe pain syndrome than those in Group 2; these differences became statistically insignificant after 6 months. The patients were found to be highly satisfied with surgical treatment. Permanent numbness, subjective weakness, thenar muscle atrophy, stage III CTS, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were predictors for less pronounced improvement in BCTQ scores after surgical treatment (p<0.05). The paper describes a clinical case that achieved full postoperative occupational and home rehabilitation. Conclusion. The patients with CTS were observed to have a marked reduction in pain and other neuropathic disorders just one month after surgical decompression and a substantial hand functional improvement following 6 months. The benefit from a minimally invasive access is less severe pain syndrome at 1 month after surgery. The predictors of less successful results of surgery are age (the older the patient is, the greater likelihood of having a worse result), permanent numbness, subjective hand weakness, thenar muscle atrophy, DM, and stage III CTS.

© 2018 Stolichnaya Izdatelskaya Kompaniya. All rights reserved. Obesity is one of the leading and the most serious risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Overweight provokes many metabolic and hemodynamic disorders. About 30% of inhabitants of the planet have overweight and prevalence of obesity increases by 10% every 10 years according to the WHO data. The probability of arterial hypertension in obese patients is 50% higher than in people with normal body mass. Framingham study showed that obesity is an independent, significant risk factor of ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke and diabetes mellitus. The most dangerous is the central obesity with the preferential fat deposition in the abdomen. Combination of visceral obesity, violation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, arterial hypertension, and close pathogenic relationship between these factors underlie the isolated symptom complex known as metabolic syndrome. J. Vague was the first to describe relationship between abdominal obesity with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 1947. In our country G.F. Lang noticed common combination of arterial hypertension with obesity, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Thus, metabolic syndrome significantly increases risk and severity of cardiovascular disease. Within last decades criteria of metabolic syndrome stays constant. The factors of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction as stages of the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome have been studied in detail. The mechanisms of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction are discussed in detail in this article as well as inflammatory markers and the significance of highly sensitive C-reactive protein.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in patients with migraine; its causes and pathogenesis continue to be discussed. Some authors consider that migraine proper does not lead to decreased cognitive functions, neuroimaging changes in the brain white matter are asymptomatic in migraine; and CI in patients with this condition is caused by comorbidities (depression, anxiety disorder) and/or concurrent cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Other authors report the pathogenetic role of migraine in the development of CI and the importance of the frequency of headache attacks and neuroimaging changes in the brain matter in migraine. The paper reviews clinical trials dealing with the prevalence, causes, and pathogenesis of CI in patients with migraine. It sets forth the current principles of prevention and treatment of CI in patients with this condition.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the population, has a complex multifactorial nature and develops through the interaction of environmental factors and genetic predisposition, the pattern and mechanisms of which have been insufficiently studied. Ischemic stroke (IS) is most commonly encountered. Objective: to investigate the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the plasma of patients in the acute and subacute stages of stroke. Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 10 patients (5 men and 5 women; mean age, 64.5 years) with IS and 10 gender- and age-matched volunteers (a control group). A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze the expression of 45 miRNAs isolated from the plasma samples of the patients on days 1 and 8 after onset of IS and isolated once from those of the controls. Results. A list of 45 miRNAs, that might be potential biomarkers and/or prognostic factors of stroke, was compiled. The investigation showed a decrease in let-7i-3p and miR-23a-3p miRNA expression in patients on the first day after onset of IS compared to the control group. The expression of miR-23a-3p increased in the patients at 8 days after IS. The patients with IS and the controls both showed gender differences in the expression of let-7i-5p and miR-92b-3p. Conclusion. The in-silico analysis revealed specific miRNA clusters associated with the peculiarities of clinical manifestations of IS. This may suggest that the patients with the favorable and unfavorable course of stroke may have its different molecular basis. In addition, it is necessary to take into account gender differences in the expression of individual miRNAs in assessing their significance in the pathogenesis and prognosis of IS.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Surgical treatment as accelerated functional recovery for discogenic radiculopathy has been proven to have advantages over medical treatment, the efficiency of which remains debatable. Objective: to investigate the efficiency of combination conservative treatment in patients with discogenic lumbosacral radiculopathy. Patients and methods. Thirty patients (12 men and 18 women; mean age, 39.5±2.2 years) with discogenic lumbosacral radiculopathy confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were followed up. All the patients underwent combination conservative treatment (epidural glucocorticoid administration, analgesic therapy, and motor mode correction). They were surveyed using questionnaires (numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) of Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire on admission to the clinic, at 7-14 days after treatment (pain intensity and functional status), and in the long-term period (at 3, 6 and 12 months) after discharge. At baseline, the patients were severely disabled due to pain syndrome. The average Oswestry index was 57.9±3.7%, the back and leg pain intensity scores were 6.5±0.6 and 6.9±0.5, respectively, as evidenced by NPRC. The majority of patients were found to have the combined musculoskeletal sources of pain, such as a myofascial component in 56.7% and sacroiliac joint dysfunction in 43.3%. In these cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants were additionally used. Results. The conservative treatment resulted in a statistically significant clinical improvement with a preserved positive effect in the long term: at 1 year, the average Oswestry index was equal to 16.6±3.9%, the back and leg pain intensity scores were 1.7±0.5 and 1.6±0.5, respectively, as shown by NPRC (p<0.001 vs baseline). Within a year, only one female patient required surgical treatment; regression of large extrusions and sequesters, the average initial size of which reached 11.1 mm, was observed in 9 cases. Conclusion. The findings reflect the efficiency of conservative treatment and the expediency of detecting mixed musculoskeletal disorders and their correction in discogenic radiculopathy.

© Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Objective: to study the clinical features of depression in women compared with men. Patients and methods. 120 women aged 18-65 years with recurrent depressive disorder (RDD; ICI-10 F33) (a study group) and 67 men of the same age with RDD (a control group) were clinically examined using a specially designed schedule and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale. Results. The clinical picture and the course of RDD have gender differences. The earlier onset of the disease in women with a large number of depressive attacks and lower quality remissions is due to the relationship and mutual influence of menstrual and reproductive function and depression. Such typical symptoms of endogenous depression, as slow thinking, anhedony, decreased sleep duration and early morning awakenings, as well as diurnal swings of mood with its deterioration in the morning, were characteristic for most women and men. The pattern of depression in women is more commonly characterized by anxiety; ideas of self-accusation; suicidal thoughts; avoidance of contacts with others; weakness; fatigue; decreased or increased appetite; sleep onset insomnia; lack of sleep feeling. That in men is more often marked by symptoms, such as melancholy; motor retardation; decreased motivation; somatic symptoms of depression (tachycardia, constipation); comorbid panic attacks; and concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory and genitourinary systems. Men more frequently abuse alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Conclusion. The revealed features of depression in women and men will be able to more accurately diagnose and to prescribe adequate therapy.

© 2018 Voprosy Sovremennoi Pediatrii - Current Pediatrics. All rights reserved. Background. Infections are the main cause of death for patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), mortality caused by respiratory infections is 2-5 times higher than in the population. One of the frequent infectious complications in the course of treatment with tocilizumab, the first-choice drug for treating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), is pneumonia characterized by a poor clinical picture, normal values of laboratory indices of the disease activity (ESR, C-reactive protein) with pronounced changes in the lungs revealed by computed tomography. In case of acute respiratory infection in children with systemic JIA, immunosuppressants and genetically engineered biological preparations (GEBP) are discontinued. This often leads to an exacerbation of the underlying disease and the progression of a pathological process. At present, vaccination against pneumococcal infection in Russia is not included in the standard for managing patients with rheumatic diseases. Studies of the safety and efficacy of vaccination with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in patients with sJIA receiving genetically engineered biological preparations were not conducted. Clinical Case Description. The article shares the experience of vaccination of a girl aged 9 years with a 13-valent PCV that was conducted in the course of a scientific investigation, which studied the efficacy and safety of vaccination of children with systemic JIA prior to prescription of GEBP tocilizumab. Vaccination did not cause a deterioration in the course of the main disease (1 month), led to a reduction in the incidence of acute respiratory infections (from 4 to 1 time within 6 months before and after vaccination), and discontinuation of antibacterial drugs within 6 months after vaccination. Conclusion. The safety of a 13-valent PCV in a child with sJIA and a decrease of the incidence of respiratory diseases after vaccination, their complications, and the use of antibacterial drugs have been shown.

© 2018 Voprosy Sovremennoi Pediatrii - Current Pediatrics. All rights reserved. Background. Insufficient efficacy or intolerance of the first TNF-α inhibitor in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an indication for the appointment of a second inhibitor. Golimumab is a new TNF-α inhibitor registered for treating JIA under pediatric indications. Clinical Case Description. At an early age, the patient had an onset of polyarticular JIA. Due to the aggressive and rapidly progressive course, failure of therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate and glucocorticosteroids for intra-articular administration, infliximab was prescribed to the patient, with a positive effect. Subsequently, the patient developed a secondary resistance to infliximab, inflammatory changes in the joints relapsed; thus, a second TNF-α inhibitor (golimumab) was prescribed. In the course of therapy, pain and signs of arthritis in the patient were reversed, and the range of motion in the affected joints increased. After one year of therapy, JIA remission was ascertained. At the same time, the child was not administered oral glucocorticosteroids. The duration of remission of the joint syndrome was 5 years. Adverse events were not serious and did not constitute a basis for drug discontinuation. Conclusion. Switching to a second TNF-α inhibitor (golimumab) was effective in a patient with a secondary resistance to the first TNF-α inhibitor.

© 2018 Voprosy Sovremennoi Pediatrii - Current Pediatrics. All rights reserved. Abstarct:-Background. An important goal of treating patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is to achieve the best quality of life associated with health. Objective. Our aim was to assess the impact of methotrexate plus etanercept therapy on the quality of life of patients with early and late JIA. Methods. The prospective study included patients with early and late JIA without systemic manifestations. The patients' quality of life was assessed with the help of questionnaires for children and parents: the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Rheumatology Module, and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3). The quality of life was assessed prior to the therapy and after one, six, and 12 months of treatment. Results. 150 children with JIA aged 5.1 (2.0; 17.7) years; 50 children aged 4.0 (2.3-11.4) years in the group of etanercept monotherapy, 50 children aged 5.0 (3.2-9.0) years in the group of methotrexate monotherapy, and 50 children aged 9.9 (6.4-13.0) years in the group of methotrexate plus etanercept combination therapy. All groups showed low scores on all questionnaires before treatment, compared to healthy children. In the course of therapy, there was a tendency for score increase to almost 1.0 according to the HUI3 questionnaire in all groups. After one year of etanercept therapy, the parameters of the quality of life of children with early JIA did not differ from healthy children; the score increased from 56 to 90 p = 0.942 according to the physical functioning scale and from 60 to 85 p = 0.889 according to the emotional functioning scale. In the 2nd group, there was a tendency for score increase, but a statistically significant difference was found across all scales of the questionnaire. After 12 months of etanercept plus methotrexate combination therapy in patients with late JIA, the questionnaire analysis showed that the responses of healthy children and children with JIA differed with probability p = 0.001 for the physical functioning scale, p = 0.001 for the social functioning scale, p = 0.001 for role functioning, and p = 0.001 for the total score. The score increase from 60 to 85 p = 0.789 was noted for emotional functioning scales. Conclusion. The use of questionnaires to assess the quality of life in children with severe chronic diseases can significantly improve the efficacy of treatment and ensure its control.

© Group of authors, 2018. Description of the first case of aplastic anemia caused by cefotaxime, a third-generation cephalosporin, with lethal outcome is presented. Clinical record of a patient and post-mortem examination results are given. Possible mechanisms of cytopenias induced by cephalosporin antibiotics are discussed.

© Group of authors, 2018. The article presents literature data on the methods of correction of linear atrophy of the skin (striae). This pathology is widespread in both sexes. The decline in the quality of life in this disease occurs largely due to the presence of a cosmetic defect. To date, there is no universal therapeutic approach for the correction of stretch marks. In this article available literature data on the problem of linear atrophy of the skin has been summarized.

© 2018 National Research University Higher School of Economics. All rights reserved. Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is defined as an acute clinically significant respiratory deterioration characterized by evidence of new, widespread alveolar abnormalities, such as diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacification and/or consolidation, and the absence of other obvious clinical causes like fluid overload, left heart failure, or pulmonary embolism, etc. AE-IPF is subcategorized as “triggered” (where specific causes are identified, for example, infections, surgery procedures, drug toxicity, etc.) or “idiopathic” (where no specific causes are identified). In randomized trials, the annual incidence of AE-IPF is about 8%, in retrospective studies it reaches 19%. Severe forms of IPF are an important risk factor for the development of AE-IPF. In-hospital mortality from AE-IPF is more than 50%, and the average survival of patients with AE-IPF is 1-4 months. Currently, there remain no proven, effective therapies for AE-IPF. In real clinical practice patients with AE-IPF still receive high doses of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Antifibrotic therapy can reduce the risk of exacerbations; it has been shown that therapy with nintedanib leads to a reduction in the number of confirmed/suspected AE-IPF by 68%. It is necessary to further study the potential methods of prevention and therapy of AE-IPF in future clinical trials.

© 2018 Limited Liability Company KlinMed Consulting. All Rights Reserved. In this article we have described clinical pharmacology and data of clinical studies of an innovational drug valsartan + sacubitril in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The use of supramolecular complex valsartan + sacubitril allows to elevate quality of life and improve prognosis of patients with CHF. High efficacy of valsartan+sacubitril relative to impact on composite primary end-point (cardiovascular death + hospitalization due to CHF) was demonstrated in the clinical trial PARADIGM-HF in which it was compared with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril. Advantages of the use of valsartan + sacubitril for the budget were demonstrated in pharmacoeconomic studies. These advantages are maximally realized at long-term administration. Cost-efficacy of the use of valsartan+sacubitril in pharmacotherapy of CHF is comparable with that of statins in the treatment of ischemic heart disease or implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator in prevention of sudden cardiac death. Thus, introduction of the drug into practice can be expected to reduce budget expenditures.

© 2018 Ophthalmology Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Purpose: creation of working classification of morphologic variations of postoperative lens capsule opacity after Micro-Invasive cataract surgery. Material and methods: Morphologic study of the lens capsule (LC) has been conducted on 4 artiphakic cadaveric eyes. A specimen of an isolated anterior lens capsule, obtained during the repeated operation with changes characteristic for anterior capsular contraction syndrome has been studied too. The obtained specimens have been researched with the method of semithin sections. Results: The analysis of the morphologic cadaveric LC specimens revealed the polymorphism of secondary cataract (SC). Besides well known "classic" SC forms, which were caused by fibroplasias processes or pseudo-regeneration a new type of postoperative LC opacity not represented in the available literature before has been revealed. The given variant of opacities was called "pseudo-hyaloid" form and characterized by the absence of clear LC borders, changes of its normal structure, the appearance of loose fibrillar structure with microslit spaces and exfoliations, that possibly was the consequence of acustic cavitation, arising in the result of ultrasonic effect. As a result the LC lost characteristic for it the role of the dense bed and made impossible adhesion and migration on its changed surface the proliferative fibrocellular elements characteristic for "classic" SC forms. The microscopy results of the isolated anterior LC specimen in the area of capsulotomic aperture showed the presence of altered abundant loose fibrillar tissue with microporous structure and expressed forming of folds. Making layers of fibrous tissue exceeded the thickness of the normal anterior LC in 10 and more times and considerably reduced the diameter of capsulotomic aperture. Conclusion: The variety of postoperative LC opacities confirmed by the results of morphologic studies afforded to suggest a new working classification in which all possible morphologic variants and the stages of the secondary pathologic changes forming of anterior LC. The suggested classification is convenient for the understanding and must promote to make a right algorithm in the choice of optimal and safe technology of laser reconstructive interventions.

© ABC-press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Objectives to enhance the morphological diagnostic complex in order to predict postoperative outcomes in a more accurate way and to optimize patients with non-muscular invasive bladder cancer treatment. Materials and methods. The study included 34 patients from 25 to 71 years old underwent laser en-block resection, the most of them were males - 28. In 9 cases multiple carcinomas (2 or more) were found. Huge tumors (2 cm or more in one dimension) were resected in 6 patients. Results. The major part of tumors removed (n = 22) histologically appeared to be papillary urothelial carcinomas with low grade of malignancy and PUNLMP; in 6 cases G2 was verified, one tumor with high malignancy potention - G3. In 3 patients intramuscular invasion was found (invasive carcinoma T2) excluding them from the study. Discussion. Laser en-block resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer appears to be the most optimal approach in operative treatment that provides representative histological material. For correct morphological estimate we recommend either to expand the resection zone to 1 cm which allows to remove circular resection margin or to take extra pinch biopsy from tumor crater (vertical margin). In 3 patients from our study positive circular margin was revealed histologically whereas foci of perineural and perivascular invasion were found in one case. A new subgrading of stage T1 depending on intramuscular invasion depth was suggested whereas the main criteria is the muscularis mucosae involvement. Conclusion. Morphological estimate of circular resection margin provides an ability to predict postoperative outcomes and correct the treatment in one or another way. Subgrading for T1-stage tumors is recommended for following correct postoperative prognosis and possibility of tumor recurrence.

© ABC-press Publishing House. All rights reserved. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Radical prostatectomy (open, laparoscopic, or robotic) remains the main method of surgical treatment for prostate cancer. However, minimally invasive therapies for prostate cancer are becoming increasingly popular in recent years, because they have similar efficacy as open surgery. The most studied minimally invasive therapies are cryoablation, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and brachytherapy. Despite the minimization of damage to neighboring structures, minimally invasive procedures can cause a number of complications, like any other surgical interventions. Each method has specific limitations and the most typical complications. Since multiple minimally invasive methods are currently available, we can ensure an individual approach to each particular patient, thus using the advantages of the methods and avoiding possible complications. This article covers the most frequent and severe complications of minimally invasive therapies for prostate cancer, as well as the methods of their prevention and treatment.

© 2018, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) in children are the most common congenital deformities that cause complications in the thoracic organs; however, the role of chondrocytes and cartilage canals in the pathogenesis of these conditions remains unexplored. Objective — to investigate qualitative and quantitative changes of cartilage lacunae and canals in the costal cartilages in children with PE and PC compared to those with normal chests. Subject and methods. Costal cartilages were investigated in 10 children with normal chests (a control group), in 12 children with PE, and in 12 children with PC. Tissue fragments were fixed in 10% neutral formalin and embedded in compacted paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Slides were examined by light microscopy. Cartilage lacunae, hyper-and hypolacunar zones, and cartilage canals were morphometrically examined, followed by statistical data analysis. Results. There was a significant decrease in the number of cartilage lacunae and in the frequency of hyperlacunar zones and an increase in that of hypolacunar zones in the PE and PC groups. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the PE and PC groups; however, there was a tendency to the smallest number of cartilage lacunae and canals in the PC group and that to the preponderance of empty lacunae in the PE group. Only the PC group showed also negative correlations between the proportions of empty lacunae and the age of children. Conclusion. The pathogenesis of PE and PC in children is related to the impaired trophism of costal cartilages due to the smaller number of cartilage channels containing vessels and lacunae with chondrocytes. The development of PE and PC is associated with specific costal cartilage morphological changes that suggest that PE and PC are different manifestations of the same disease, namely connective tissue dysplasia.