Repercussion of craniopharyngioma on the morphology of the rostral wall of the III ventricle. A combined TEM and SEM study.
Using a combined scanning and electron microscope technique, the repercussion on the rostral wall of the III ventricle in a patient affected with a retrochiasmatic craniopharyngioma with growth in the ventricular direction were analysed. The apical surface of the ependymocytes was found to be free of cilia, although there were numerous microvilli. The most striking finding appreciated with the scanning electron microscope was the presence of bulbous protrusions towards the lumen of the ventricle; these were formed of cells with shapes, sizes and surface characteristics different from the rest of the ependyma, which appeared flattened. The ultrastructural study revealed the presence of large numbers of filaments and junction complexes both in the ependymal and subependymal cells. Additionally, the protruded zones corresponded to areas showing different degrees of cellular disorganization.
Riesco
J M
JM
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Maillo
A
A
Juanes
J A
JA
Sanchez
F
F
Blanco
E
E
Carretero
J
J
Vazquez
R
R
D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*