Cerebral neuroblastoma

A cerebral neuroblastoma removed surgically from a female child is presented. Electron microscopy showed numerous neuronal processes with growth cones which are a feature of the developing neurone. In addition there were some rosettes with distinct lumina. The luminal surfaces were covered with a smooth plasma membrane lacking any surface differentiation and the lateral surface of these cells had many cell junctions (terminal bars), reminiscent of a primitive neural tube. These features in a nerve cell tumor help to substantiate it as a neuroblastoma arising from immature rather than differentiated cells. The nature of this rare tumor is discussed.