Isomorphic Sclerosis
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Isomorphic sclerosis (gliosis) is characterized by the proliferation of glial elements that replace dead nervous tissue while maintaining the same order and direction as the original structure of the central nervous system. It differs from anisomorphic sclerosis where glial elements grow without any specific order.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ISOMORPHIC SCLEROSIS (gliosis), is characterized by the proliferation of glial elements that replace the dead nervous tissue and are arranged in the same order and direction as is characteristic for the structure of this department of the central nervous system; in anisomorphic sclerosis, glial elements proliferate without any order. Upon macroscopic examination of a piece or an indifferently stained preparation from the central nervous system, in the case of isomorphic gliosis, the impression is gained that no changes have occurred in the structure of the nervous tissue, and only under the microscope or with specific staining for nerve fibers (see Weigert's staining methods) can it be seen that the nerve fibers are replaced by glial tissue, which does not take this stain. I. s. is most frequently observed in systemic diseases of the nervous system (tabes, lateral amyotrophic sclerosis, etc.) following secondary degeneration of nerve fibers.
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“Isomorphic Sclerosis.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/isomorphic-sclerosis/