Special Senses System
Eye, Sclera - Metaplasia, Osseous
Narrative
Comment:
Osseous metaplasia of the sclera is an incidental aging change that occurs frequently in Fischer 344/N rats, less often in other common rat strains, and seldom if ever in mice. It consists of single to multiple, discrete foci of well-differentiated, mineralized bone. Occasionally, similar scleral foci of cartilage are observed (cartilaginous metaplasia). These innocuous structures do not incite pathologic changes in the sclera or adjacent tissues.
Recommendations:
Scleral osseous metaplasia should be diagnosed only if treatment related, but it does not need a severity grade (i.e., it should be recorded as "present").
References:
National Toxicology Program. 2007. NTP TR-543. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of α-Methylstyrene (CAS No. 98-83-9) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/28010Yoshitomi K, Boorman GA. 1990. Eye and associated glands. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 239-260.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563
Eye, Sclera - Metaplasia, Osseous in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are two foci of focal osseous metaplasia (arrow) in the sclera.
All Images
Eye, Sclera - Metaplasia, Osseous in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are two foci of focal osseous metaplasia (arrow) in the sclera.
Eye, Sclera - Metaplasia, Osseous in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). This higher magnification image shows a discrete focus of well-differentiated, mineralized bone (osseous metaplasia) in greater detail.