The fine structure of ependymomas. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baloyannis, Stavros J; Baloyannis, Ioannis S
• Is Part Of: CNS oncology. Volume 3:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Central nervous system -- Tumors -- Periodicals; 616.99481
• DOI: 10.2217/cns.13.64
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-0907

Abstract

SUMMARY Electron microscopy is a useful diagnostic technique in order to confirm or establish a definitive diagnosis in brain tumors that may have an atypical histological pattern, which requires a concrete diagnosis. In ependymomas, electron microscopy reveals morphological characters that have a pathognomonic diagnostic value, therefore allowing a definitive diagnosis. The main fine structural criteria of ependymomas consist of the numerous microvilli and cilia, which are incorporated in the cell body or extended freely in the intracellular space; the centriole or blepharoplast, which is located in the basis of the cilia; the large number of the fragmented microtubules in the perikaryon and the cellular processes (any small cellular projection into the neutrophil or intracellular space); the junctional apparatus between the cells, such as zonula adherens, zonula occludens and puncta adherentia; the basement membrane-like structure, seen in papillary ependymomas and ependymomas of the filum terminale; and the elongated cells in the loose intracellular space, commonly seen in myxopapillary ependymomas.