Atheromatous (cholesterol) embolization

A case is presented of an 89-year-old woman who died following an operation for arterial embolism of the lower limb. The autopsy histology showed acute occlusion of a stenosed sclerotic femoral artery by thrombotic and atheromatous emboli. In addition, it showed chronic cholesterol crystal embolism in multiple small arteries of abdominal organs, particularly of the kidneys. Abdominal aorta with severe ulcerated atherosclerosis appeared as the source of embolism.