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Intracytoplasmic lumina in ependymomas: an ultrastructural study
K L Ho1, D V Caccamo, J H Garcia
1Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
Ultrastructural Pathology
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL) in central nervous system tumors are rare. This study reveals two ICL types in ependymomas, suggesting ciliated ICL may be a characteristic feature.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Cell Biology
- Tumor Ultrastructure
Background:
- Intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL) are infrequently documented in central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms.
- The developmental processes (morphogenesis) of ICL are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural characteristics and morphogenesis of ICL in ependymomas.
- To determine if ICL represent a distinctive feature of ependymomas.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy.
- Examination of six ependymomas and three myxopapillary ependymomas.
Main Results:
- Two distinct types of ICL were identified: those with microvilli and cilia, and those with only microvilli.
- Ciliated ICL were prevalent in ventricular ependymomas, while nonciliated ICL were common in myxopapillary ependymomas.
- Observed stages of ciliated ICL formation, suggesting origin from periciliary cisterns and potential role in microrosette formation.
Conclusions:
- Ciliated ICL may be a characteristic ultrastructural finding in ependymomas, not previously described in other tumors.
- The origin and nature of nonciliated ICL require further investigation, possibly representing degenerative forms or artifactual spaces.