Ultrastructural alterations of neuronal cells in a brain stem ganglioglioma

A brain stem ganglioglioma in a 9-year-old female was examined ultrastructurally. The constituent neuronal (ganglion) cells displayed various ultrastructural features of neuronal degeneration including Hirano, Lafora and zebra bodies, inclusion-like aggregates of neurofilaments and large dilatations of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Although similar observations have been reported in peripheral neuronal tumors, this is the first reported occurrence in ganglioglioma, an uncommon tumor in the central nervous system. The coincidence of these alterations in the present tumor appeared to be of great interest, however, their exact etiology remained uncertain.