Structure of intracranial veins and elastic-viscous properties of red blood cell membranes in adolescents with connective tissue dysplasia

The aim of the study is to examine the characteristics of intracranial veins (magnetic resonance angiography), and the elastic-viscous properties of the red blood cell membranes (atomic force microscopy) in adolescents with connective tissue dysplasia. Material and Methods. The authors examined 156 adolescents. The main group consisted of 82 adolescents with connective tissue dysplasia. The comparison group included 74 adolescents without connective tissue dysplasia. Connective tissue dysplasia was assessed according to L.N. Abakumova scale (2006). Magnetic resonance angiography was performed on a Siemens Magnetom Symphony apparatus equipped with a superconducting magnetic system with 1.5 Tesla field strength. Preparations of dry red blood cells were made to study red blood cell cytoplasmic membrane. The specimen was scanned using an atomic force microscope SOLVER P47-Pro. Results. The majority of adolescents from the main group demonstrated anatomical variants of the dura mater sinuses structure. At the same time, sinus hypoplasia in patients of the main group was diagnosed more often than asymmetry of these structures. In the comparison group, the number of anatomical variants of the dura mater sinuses structure also prevailed over the symmetrical structure. However, the sinuses asymmetry was more often. Comparative analysis of Young's modulus values in two groups of patients showed a statistically significant superiority of this indicator in the main group. Correlation analysis of the connective tissue dysplasia severity and Young's modulus values revealed a moderate direct correlation. Conclusion. Thus, it can be assumed that in patients with connective tissue dysplasia the cerebral vessel structure and elastic properties of red blood cell membranes formed during embryogenesis impair the functional and adaptive capabilities of intracranial vessels, contributing to the development and progression of cerebral venous disorders and their subsequent clinical manifestation.