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Disease&Treatment/Cornea&Ocular surfaces

Hassall-Henle Body = Descemet warts

by eye_doc 2025. 4. 15.

👁 What is a Hassall-Henle Body?

Hassall-Henle bodies, also known as Descemet warts, are
protrusions of Descemet’s membrane observed at the peripheral cornea.

They are commonly seen in older individuals and are often considered a non-pathologic, age-related change.


🔍 Clinical Appearance

  • Seen as small, round dark holes under specular microscopy
  • Represent thickened peripheral Descemet’s membrane that bulges forward
  • Usually asymptomatic and of no clinical concern


🧬 Difference from Guttata

FeatureHassall-Henle BodyGuttata
Location Peripheral cornea Central cornea
Cause Normal age-related finding Pathologic (e.g., Fuchs dystrophy)
Appearance Similar morphology, different context Similar morphology
Terminology Peripheral → Hassall-Henle Central → Guttata

✅ Summary

  • Hassall-Henle body = Descemet wart
  • Occurs at the peripheral cornea, not pathological
  • Must be differentiated from central guttata,
    which is a marker of endothelial disease

 

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