Multinucleated stromal cells of the anal mucosa: a common finding.
OBJECTIVE
To document the presence, morphology, immunophenotype and ultrastructure of multinucleated stromal cells within the anal mucosa and to discuss possible pathogenetic mechanisms for this occurrence.


RESULTS
Multiple sections of normal anal mucosa from 30 abdominoperineal resection specimens were analysed by light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical methods. Multinucleated stromal cells were found in 22 cases (73%). They contained two to five nuclei, arranged in a linear fashion or in a rosette or grape-like pattern. They stained positive for vimentin and negative for actin, desmin and oestrogen/progesterone receptors. Ultrastructural examination confirmed their fibroblastic lineage. Mast cells were frequently observed in the immediate vicinity of mono- and multinucleated cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Multinucleated stromal cells are a common occurrence in the normal anal mucosa. They should not be misinterpreted as neoplastic cells. Mast cells may play a role in their morphogenesis.
Groisman
G M
GM
Department of Pathology, Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
Amar
M
M
Polak-Charcon
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*