Comparison of the crystals and aggregates found in MPA and TA at high-powered microscopy
| MPA | MPA + LA | MPA + LA + Plasma | TA | TA + LA | TA + LA + Plasma | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal size | ||||||
| Mean (μm) | 6.94 | 7.1 | 6.91 | 17.4 | 17.1 | 17.9 |
| Range (μm) | 0.5–26 | 0.4–26 | 0.5–25 | 1–110 | 0.5–108 | 0.3–110 |
| % >10 μma | 16.7 | 15.9 | 17.1 | 38 | 41 | 40 |
| % aggregatedb | 85c | 83 | 70c,* | 85c | 81 | 10c,* |
| Aggregate size | ||||||
| Mean (μm) | 42.9c | 45.1 | 21.64c,* | 14.3c | 15.1 | 9.8c,* |
| Range (μm) | 5–195 | 4.1–186 | 3.2–50 | 2–115 | 3–111 | 5–25 |
| % >10 μmd | 88 | 82 | 80 | 28c | 22 | 40c,* |
Note:—DSP is not included in this table as there were no crystals or aggregates identified in DSP.
↵a Percentage of crystals >10 μm and therefore with embolic potential.
↵b Percentage of crystals that are formed into aggregates.
↵c Denoting where there were statistically significant differences in measurements between plasma and nonplasma mixed corticosteroid (P <.05).
↵d Percentage of crystal aggregates that are >10 μm and therefore with embolic potential.
↵* Denoting where differences in measurement were statistically significant between MPA and TA.