Intraventricular neuroblastoma. A light and electron microscopic study and review of the literature

The neuroblastoma can generally be diagnosed from the histologic findings, but electron microscopic evidence is often required. A neuroblastoma occurring in the lateral ventricle of a 17-year-old female is described in this report. The tumor cells, which were strongly stained with hematoxylin, contained a small round or oval nucleus with scant cytoplasm and an obscure cell border as observed by light microscopy. No calcification, mitoses and typical ganglion cells were detected. An electron microscopic examination disclosed dense-cored vesicles, cell processes, clear vesicles, dumbbell-shaped dense bodies, microtubules and zonulae adherentes in the tumor cells. These findings suggest differentiation of the tumor cells to neuronal cells.