Human Medial Gastrocnemius Conversion To Adipose Tissue, A Histological Analysis
Omstead, Kailey M.; Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: July 2020 - Volume 52 - Issue 7S - p 919
There are very rare reports in the biomedical literature of entire human skeletal muscles being replaced by adipose tissue and thereby affecting lower limb function and ambulation. The causes are unknown. A fully preserved example was discovered in a Medical Anatomy course.
PURPOSE: To examine the histological characteristics of a bilateral conversion of the medial gastrocnemii, presumably from skeletal muscle to adipose tissue.
METHODS: Small specimens were collected for preservation, wax embedding, and histological analysis of the affected muscle, unaffected lateral-head of the muscle, nerve, and a control muscle.
RESULTS: Hematoxylin and Eosin staining revealed an 88% decrease in the number of skeletal muscle fibers with a corresponding increase in the number of adipocytes. Connective tissue was similar between samples; however, the lateral gastrocnemius exhibited signs of inflammation with no necrosis.
CONCLUSIONS: This is to our knowledge the first full histological analysis of a seeming conversion of the bilateral gastrocnemius medial heads into adipose tissue. The cause is unknown but could be related to the immune cell infiltration.