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Suprasellar monomorphous pilomyxoid neoplasm: an ultastructural analysis
C E Fuller1, B Frankel, M Smith
1Department of Anatomic Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA. fullercny@hotmail.com
Clinical Neuropathology
|January 5, 2002
Summary
This study details a rare brain tumor in 3 patients, presenting as a myxoid lesion with features of both pilocytic astrocytoma and myxopapillary ependymoma. Further research is needed to understand this enigmatic glial neoplasm.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- This study investigates a rare glial neoplasm with overlapping features of pilocytic astrocytoma and myxopapillary ependymoma.
- The lesion presents as a diffusely contrast-enhancing suprasellar mass, particularly in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- Three patients (2 children, 1 adult) exhibited unusual myxoid lesions with distinct histomorphologic and ultrastructural characteristics.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed suprasellar masses with extension into the third ventricle, showing more extensive involvement in infants.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination showed monotonous cells with piloid-like processes in a myxoid background, forming pseudorosettes around blood vessels.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and S-100 positivity, with synaptophysin positivity and chromogranin negativity.
- Electron microscopy demonstrated bipolar cells with microvilli, cytoplasmic blebs, cilia, and synaptoid complexes, consistent with a glial origin.
Implications:
- This research expands the clinicopathologic understanding of this rare and enigmatic glial tumor.
- The findings highlight the importance of detailed histomorphologic and ultrastructural analysis for accurate diagnosis.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the precise nature and behavior of this neoplasm.