Prepontine cyst lined by respiratory epithelium with squamous metaplasia: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.
An 8.5-year-old female presented with multiple episodes of aseptic meningitis and was found to have a cystic lesion in the prepontine region. Microscopic examination revealed a respiratory-type epithelium with squamous metaplasia. Like its normal analogue in the respiratory tract, the epithelium of these intracranial cysts can undergo squamous metaplasia when chronically irritated. The ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of the transition from ciliated epithelium to squamous metaplasia are described.
Del Bigio
M R
MR
Section of Neuropathology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jay
V
V
Drake
J M
JM
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology*