Infiltration (medical)

Infiltration describes the penetration of solid or liquid substance in biological tissue. And the spread of tumor cells or pathogens in a fabric is called the infiltration. Pathological infiltration is to be distinguished from the infiltration treatment, can be injected in small tissue areas in the targeted drugs.

Forms of infiltration

In inflammatory processes, increased immune cells accumulate in the tissue to eliminate infectious agents and waste materials. The resulting inflammatory infiltrates are distinguished according to the predominant cell type in purulent, eosinophilic, lymphocytic, and other forms.

Infiltrative growth is a key feature that distinguishes malignant from benign neoplasms. A special form is present here leukaemic cells that are characterized by a massive enforcement of skin and other tissues districts with white blood cells. The spread of tumor cells may be reticulate, as in micro carcinomas.

Accumulations of fluids and cellular components in the lungs, as they occur in tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism or allergic processes, lead to compaction of the tissue, referred to as pulmonary infiltrates.

In lupus vulgaris epithelioid cells accumulate in the dermis, which leave under diascopy apple jelly-like spots. Pathologic direct infiltration of the intercellular spaces can also consist of fluids such as blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, secretions or exudates.

Occasionally, the increased storage of solids or liquids in cells, as occurs for example in the fatty degeneration as a result of insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues, also called infiltration.

• Pathology