The key difference between pannus and thrombus is that pannus is a type of extra growth in the joints, while thrombus is a blood clot that forms in the blood vessels.
Prosthetic valve obstruction is a rare but serious complication that can occur in patients with prosthetic heart valves. This condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prosthetic valve obstruction can be caused by both pannus and thrombus. Pannus is a chronic process and requires surgical intervention, while thrombus can be potentially treated through fibrinolysis.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pannus
3. What is Thrombus
4. Similarities – Pannus and Thrombus
5. Pannus vs Thrombus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Pannus vs Thrombus
What is Pannus?
Pannus is a type of extra growth in the joints. Pannus formation is most often a result of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints. It happens when the immune system starts to misfire and attack joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can be due to genes and certain environmental factors. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause synovial tissue to grow abnormally, leading to thickening and expansion into areas where it shouldn’t be. Special immune system cells called T cells make up much of these new clumps of tissue. This is called pannus formation. Pannus is formed when patients do not receive proper treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, other inflammatory diseases can also cause pannus formation. The symptoms of pannus formation include pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints (usually on both sides of the body, including knees, both wrists, both thumbs, etc.).
Figure 01: Pannus
Pannus formation can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans. Furthermore, treatment options for pannus formation include medications like over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, and biologics and surgical intervention.
What is Thrombus?
Thrombus is a blood clot that forms in the blood vessels. Blood clot formation is a normal process. But when a blood clot occurs abnormally, it causes problems. Abnormal thrombus formation can be due to various factors such as disease or injury, immobility, a broken bone, certain medications, obesity, inherited disorders, autoimmune disorders, medications that increase the risk of clotting, and the hardening of the arteries. The symptoms of abnormal thrombus formation include pain in one leg, swelling in the leg or arm, chest pain, numbness and weakness on one side of the body, and sudden changes in mental states.
Figure 02: Thrombus
Moreover, this condition can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, ultrasound, blood tests, and venography imaging scans such as MRI, MRA, and CT scans. Furthermore, the treatment options for abnormal thrombus formation include anticoagulants, catheters to widen affected blood vessels, stents to hold the open blood vessels, and medications to dissolve blood clots.
What are the Similarities Between Pannus and Thrombus?
- Pannus and thrombus can cause prosthetic valve obstruction.
- Both pannus and thrombus result in serious life-threatening complications.
- They can form due to autoimmune conditions.
- Both pannus and thrombus formation can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They can be treated with specific surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Pannus and Thrombus?
Pannus is a type of extra growth in the joints, while a thrombus is a blood clot that forms in the blood vessels. Thus, this is the key difference between pannus and thrombus. Furthermore, pannus forms due to rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, an abnormal thrombus is formed due to disease or injury, immobility, a broken bone, certain medications, obesity, inherited disorders, autoimmune disorders, and medications that increase the risk of clotting and hardening of the arteries.
The below infographic presents the differences between pannus and thrombus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Pannus vs Thrombus
Both pannus and thrombus can cause prosthetic valve obstruction. Pannus is a type of extra growth in the joints, while a thrombus is a blood clot that forms in the blood vessels. Pannus is a chronic process and requires surgical intervention, but thrombus can be potentially treated through fibrinolysis. So, this is the summary of the difference between pannus and thrombus.
Reference:
1. Cajas, Luis Javier, et al. “Pannus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Historic and Pathophysiological Evolution.” Revista Colombiana De Reumatología (English Edition), Elsevier.
2. “What Is a Thrombus? Causes and Types.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Rheumatoid arthritis – Swollen finger joint” By Scientific Animations – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Composition of a fresh thrombus” By Mikael Häggström, M.D. – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
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