ISSN:
1860-1499
Keywords:
Nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma
;
Ultrastructural study
;
Electron microscopy
;
Nonfunctioning adrenocortical black adenoma
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas obtained from 40 and 60-year-old males were examined by electron microscopy. Light microscopically, the tumors were shown to consist of clear cells and compact cells in both cases. However, compact cells predominated in the former case, and clear cells in the latter. Electron microscopy revealed that most of the cells in the former case had abundant organelles, including well-developed, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria with elaborate tubulovesicular cristae. The findings resembled those of adenomas with Cushing's syndrome. The latter case revealed a majority of cells with numerous, large lipid vacuoles, moderate amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria with sparse lamellar cristae resembling features of aldosteronoma. These ultrastructural findings suggest that even nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas, like functioning adrenocortical adenomas, have some possibility of producing adrenal hormones.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02348223
