Liquefactive necrosis
Encyclopedia
Liquefactive necrosis is a type of necrosis
which results in a transformation of the tissue into a liquid viscous mass. Often it is associated with focal bacterial or fungal infections. In liquefactive necrosis, the affected cell is completely digested by hydrolytic
enzymes, resulting in a soft, circumscribed lesion consisting of pus and the fluid remains of necrotic tissue. Dead leukocytes will remain as a creamy yellow pus. After the removal of cell debris by white blood cells, a fluid filled space is left. It is generally associated with abscess
formation and is commonly found in the central nervous system
.
death of cells within the central nervous system also results in liquefactive necrosis. This is a process in which lysosome
s turn tissues into soup as a result of lysosomal release of digestive enzymes. Loss of tissue architecture means that the tissue is essentially liquefied. This process is not associated with bacteria action or infection.
The affected area is soft with liquefied centre containing necrotic debris. Later, a cyst
wall is formed.
Microscopically, the cystic space contains necrotic cell debris and macrophage
s filled with phagocytosed material. The cyst wall is formed by proliferating capillaries, inflammatory cells, and gliosis
(proliferating glial cells) in the case of brain and proliferating fibroblast
s in the case of abscess cavity.
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
which results in a transformation of the tissue into a liquid viscous mass. Often it is associated with focal bacterial or fungal infections. In liquefactive necrosis, the affected cell is completely digested by hydrolytic
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which molecules of water are split into hydrogen cations and hydroxide anions in the process of a chemical mechanism. It is the type of reaction that is used to break down certain polymers, especially those made by condensation polymerization...
enzymes, resulting in a soft, circumscribed lesion consisting of pus and the fluid remains of necrotic tissue. Dead leukocytes will remain as a creamy yellow pus. After the removal of cell debris by white blood cells, a fluid filled space is left. It is generally associated with abscess
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue in which the pus resides due to an infectious process or other foreign materials...
formation and is commonly found in the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
.
In the brain
For unclear reasons, hypoxicHypoxia (medical)
Hypoxia, or hypoxiation, is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. Variations in arterial oxygen concentrations can be part of the normal physiology, for example, during strenuous physical exercise...
death of cells within the central nervous system also results in liquefactive necrosis. This is a process in which lysosome
Lysosome
thumb|350px|Schematic of typical animal cell, showing subcellular components. [[Organelle]]s: [[nucleoli]] [[cell nucleus|nucleus]] [[ribosomes]] [[vesicle |vesicle]] rough [[endoplasmic reticulum]]...
s turn tissues into soup as a result of lysosomal release of digestive enzymes. Loss of tissue architecture means that the tissue is essentially liquefied. This process is not associated with bacteria action or infection.
The affected area is soft with liquefied centre containing necrotic debris. Later, a cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
wall is formed.
Microscopically, the cystic space contains necrotic cell debris and macrophage
Macrophage
Macrophages are cells produced by the differentiation of monocytes in tissues. Human macrophages are about in diameter. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes. Macrophages function in both non-specific defense as well as help initiate specific defense mechanisms of vertebrate animals...
s filled with phagocytosed material. The cyst wall is formed by proliferating capillaries, inflammatory cells, and gliosis
Gliosis
Gliosis is a proliferation of astrocytes in damaged areas of the central nervous system . This proliferation usually leads to the formation of a glial scar....
(proliferating glial cells) in the case of brain and proliferating fibroblast
Fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing...
s in the case of abscess cavity.