[Electron microscopy of colonic polyps. II. Leuchtenberg's inclusion bodies]

Characteristic features of Leuchtenberger's inclusion bodies of adenomatous, adenopapillary and papillary polyps of the colon were studied by electron microscope. Authors believe that in the development of intracellular inclusion bodies focal degradation of the cytoplasma, of intercellular inclusion bodies, strangulation of certain areas of it may play a role. It is assumed that the development of inclusion bodies is a result of impairment of the cell membrane of proliferating, undifferentiated epithelial cells of the colonic mucosa. Increasing frequency of inclusion bodies in polyps undergoing malignant transformation seems to be an important morphologic feature.