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Myelin-containing corpora amylacea in vestibular root entry zone
A Sbarbati1, M Carner, V Colletti
1Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology, Verona, Italy. SBARBATI@borgoroma.univr.it
Ultrastructural Pathology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Cytoplasmic accumulations (CA) in vestibular nerve astrocytes may indicate neurodegeneration in Meniere
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Meniere's disease and vascular cross-compression syndrome affect the vestibular nerve.
- The root entry zone is susceptible to damage from the antero-inferior cerebellar artery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructure of cytoplasmic accumulations (CA) in vestibular nerve astrocytes.
- To determine if CA are associated with neurodegeneration in specific neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Vestibular neurectomy via retrosigmoid approach was performed on patients.
- Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy was employed to study CA within astrocytes.
Main Results:
- Cytoplasmic accumulations (CA) were identified in astrocytes at the vestibular root entry zone.
- CA contained degenerating myelin fragments within an amorphous matrix rich in filaments and lipid fragments.
- Electron-dense bodies with multilamellar structures were observed near CA in the astrocytic cytoplasm.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that CA contain degenerating myelin and are associated with a microenvironment rich in glucose polymers.
- Cytoplasmic accumulations (CA) may serve as a potential indicator of neurodegeneration in the vestibular nerve.