Histological findings at the boundary of craniopharyngiomas.
Although a craniopharyngioma is grossly well circumscribed, microscopically the borders are frequently irregular and may be associated with gliosis in the adjacent brain tissue. In the current study, we investigated the histology of the interface between craniopharyngiomas and surrounding normal structures such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Histologically, we classified the findings at the boundary of craniopharyngiomas into three types. In type 1, a relatively thick capsule-like tissue was identified at the boundary between the craniopharyngioma and surrounding normal structure composed of tumor cells and inflammatory changes. In type 2, a craniopharyngioma had a relatively clear cleavage between the surrounding gliosis. In type 3, the boundary had some interdigitation of the tumor in the surrounding gliotic layer adjacent to the craniopharyngioma. In types 1 and 3, surgeons may fail to accomplish complete resection of the tumor. These histological features may result in recurrence of craniopharyngioma even after gross total resection.
Kawamata
Takakazu
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. tkawamata@nij.twmu.ac.jp
Kubo
Osami
O
Hori
Tomokatsu
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000150:complications / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005911:Gliosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055815:Young Adult