Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth Arteriolosclerosis is an
abnormality of the arterioles. The arterioles commonly
accumulate a subendothelial homogenous eosinophilic material
(arteriolar hyalinosis, hyaline arterioloscerosis) with aging,
diabetes mellitus and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. In
another variant of arteriolosclerosis an intimal thickening
reduces the caliber of the vascular lumen (hyperplastic
arteriolosclerosis, proliferative arteriolosclerosis). This
occurs in malignant hypertension [hypertension - malignant],
hemolytic uremic syndrome, progressive systemic sclerosis,
homocystinuria, congenital rubella [rubella - congenital],
malignant atrophic papulosis, chronic rejection and following
radiation). Arteriolosclerosis frequently affects the retinal
arterioles which reflect light and appear clinically like silver
or copper wires. Arteriolosclerosis of the retina is often
associated with other diseases such as hypertension.