Ultrastructure of adamantinoma of long bones

Electron microscopic examination of three adamantinomas of long bones revealed structures usually observed in both mesenchymal and epithelial tumours. Tumour cells showing high alkaline phosphatase activity frequently tended to line clefts in connective tissue, resembling endothelial cells. The long processes of such cells showed fenestration. In areas showing fibre production the tumour cells were in close relationship to collagen fibrils. The latter were found, together with microfibrils, between the processes and above the basement membranes. The tumour cells were interconnected by desmosomes with tonofilaments and contained numerous bundles of microfilaments. All three cases revealed tiny intracytoplasmic inclusions resembling Weibel-Palade endothelial bodies. In addition, some of the structures in the lumena contained definite acid mucosubstances. A squamous cell pattern was present in only one of the three specimens. The coincidence of divergent structures in a single specimen has led us to the conclusion that the so-called adamantinoma of long bone might be possibly related to tumours of mesodermal or mesectodermal origin.