[Stereomorphological relationship between colonic adenomas and peri-adenomatous mucosa in scanning electron...

Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), then light microscopy, the authors have studied 25 colonic adenomas, 5 specimens of peri-adenomatous mucosa and 9 specimens of normal colonic mucosa. Comparison between SEM features and histological characteristics has shown that each of the three histological entities had an specific surface architecture. Comparative analysis of the different aspects observed at SEM has shown a close architectural relationship between the adenomas and the adjacent mucosa, and suggests the hypothesis that adenomatous polyps are formed by invagination of the surface epithelium which has a well-known capacity of proliferation.