After unilateral sympathectomy the incidence of medial calcinosis on the operated side was significantly higher than on the non-operated side

Six to eight years after uni- or bilateral lumbar sympathectomy 60 patients were investigated radiologically for medial calcinosis of foot arteries. Of 60 patients, 55 had Mönckeberg's sclerosis. In 93% of the patients who had undergone bilateral operation medial calcification was seen in both feet. After unilateral sympathectomy the incidence of medial calcinosis on the operated side was significantly higher than on the non-operated side (88% versus 18%, p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between diabetics and non-diabetics. These findings suggest that medial calcification is related to autonomic neuropathy of peripheral vessels. Fifty-two of 160 patients (32.5%) with severe arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs showed medial calcification of foot arteries. Mönckeberg's sclerosis was significantly associated with the peripheral type of vascular disease (p less than 0.025).
Klin Wochenschr. 1985 Mar 1;63(5):211-6.
PMID: 3990163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Medial arterial calcification (MAC) is a frequent vascular finding in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Morphologically distinct from focal calcifications of atherosclerosis its radiographically distinct tramline pattern is frequently encountered in the arteries of the lower extremities. MAC is inconsistently related to age, duration and therapy of diabetes. In contrast, a strong association with diabetic polyneuropathy and familial aggregation have been documented. Although initially considered benign MAC is now recognized as a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Investigations into MAC pathogenes and into its role in vascular pathophysiology are underway.

	Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
Publisher	Steinkopff
ISSN	0300-5860 (Print) 1435-1285 (Online)
Issue	Volume 89, Number 14 / February, 2000
DOI	10.1007/s003920070107