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On the ultrastructure of ependymomas — A semiquantitative analysis of diagnostic criteria in 21 cases with special reference to glycogen as a marker

  • Neurooncology
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Abstract

We report our results on the ultrastructure of 21 ependymomas and establish the following diagnostic criteria: 1. Glycogen is the most frequently encountered criterion, followed by desmosomes, cilia, basal bodies and microvilli. Fifteen tumors had 3 or more of these features. 2. The allegedly typical nuclear pattern was found in only 6 cases. 3. Special ultrastructural features seen include basement membranes in a mid-thoracic ependymoma. Furthermore we propose the hypothesis that glycogen might be involved in cilia assembly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Neuropathology, Free University of Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-1000, Berlin 45, West Germany

    Jens Haustein, Felix Cruz-Sanchez & Jose Cervós-Navarro

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  1. Jens Haustein
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  2. Felix Cruz-Sanchez
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  3. Jose Cervós-Navarro
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Haustein, J., Cruz-Sanchez, F. & Cervós-Navarro, J. On the ultrastructure of ependymomas — A semiquantitative analysis of diagnostic criteria in 21 cases with special reference to glycogen as a marker. Neurosurg. Rev. 11, 67–76 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795697

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795697

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