Intraventricular fiberscopic observations in adult hydrocephalic patients

A flexible ventriculofiberscope was used to diagnose intraventricular pathological conditions in eight adult hydrocephalic patients. In each case the entire procedure was recorded on videotape for documentation, review, and teaching. Four representative cases are presented to illustrate the use and value of this technique.

Abdominal metastases of primary intracranial yolk sac tumors through ventriculoperitoneal shunts: report of three cases

Three cases of rare primary intracranial yolk sac tumor are reported. Two cases had a pineal location, whereas the third presented as a suprasellar mass. After the placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts for relief of hydrocephalus, all of the patients developed metastases restricted to the peritoneum, as demonstrated by autopsy in one patient (Case 1) and clinical and radiographic evidence in two patients (Cases 2 and 3). The peritoneal metastases were directly associated with the death of one patient, but were successfully treated with chemotherapy in another patient, who is still alive more than 2.5 years after initial presentation. The value of ascitic fluid cytology and alpha-fetoprotein determination in the diagnosis of this complication was demonstrated in one patient. These cases emphasize the need for awareness of this mode of metastasis and its potentially lethal effect.

Primary intraosseous meningioma presenting as a solitary osteolytic skull lesion: case report

Meningiomas that are either intraosseous in origin or osteolytic are rare. Intraosseous meningiomas are generally osteoblastic. Our case is the second reported case of a primary intraosseous meningioma presenting as an osteolytic skull lesion.

Parenchymal fine structure of the subfornical organ in the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

The parenchyma of the subfornical organ (SFO) of the Japanese quail was studied by light and electron microscopy. The SFO consists of ependymal, intermediate, and basal (perimeningeal) layers. In the intermediate layer, neurons, glial cells, and their processes are found. Axons containing dense core granules approximately 80 nm in diameter are numerous, some of which make synaptic contact with the neuronal perikarya or dendrites. Synaptic vesicles in some axons contain a dense dot in the interior after treatment with 5-hydroxydopamine. The activity of the SFO, which is probably concerned with elicitation of drinking by angiotensin II, may be regulated at least partly by afferent monoaminergic axons. Capillaries with a non-fenestrated endothelium are occasionally found in the parenchyma. The basal layer is occupied by glial processes abutting on the digitating layer of perivascular connective tissue of meningeal vessels. The endothelium of these vessels is occasionally fenestrated. Trypan blue injected systemically accumulated in the SFO, but not in the deeper areas of the brain. The absence of a blood-brain barrier is suggested in the SFO.

Surface fine structure of the subfornical organ in the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

The surface ultrastructure of the subfornical organ (SFO) was investigated in the Japanese quail. The SFO consists of a body and a stalk. The body of the SFO can be divided into rostral and caudal parts. On the rostral part, each ependymal cell possesses a short central solitary cilium; clustered cilia are also occasionally seen. Microvilli are abundant. On the caudal part, cells with a solitary cilium are fewer in number, and clustered cilia are rarely found. Microvilli are not as abundant as on the rostral part. In addition, large bulbous protrusions, tufts of small protrusions, deep funnel-shaped hollows, small pinocytotic invaginations and possible cerebrospinal fluid-contacting axons are sporadically observed on the surface of various regions of the body. Each ependymal cell of the stalk has a wide apical surface. A central solitary cilium, microvilli and other structures are observed more rarely on the stalk than on the body, while clustered cilia are not seen on the stalk. These structures are compared with those of the mammalian SFO and further discussed in relation to the possible dipsogenic receptor function for angiotensin II.

Mixed mesenchymal and neuroectodermal tumor of the cerebellum

An unusual cerebellar tumor composed of mixed mesenchymal and neuroectodermal elements in a 44 year old man is reported. The mesenchymal element is well-differentiated adipose tissue, whereas the neuroectodermal components exhibit a variety of medulloblastomatous, astrocytomatous, oligodendrogliomatous and ependymomatous areas. A possible origin of such unusual mixed neoplasms is briefly discussed.

Electron-microscopic study of pseudo-exfoliation of the lens capsule

The lens, iris, and ciliary body from the eyes of patients with glaucoma with cataract were examined via electron microscopy, and the following results obtained. 1. Zonular bundles were encrusted with accumulations of pseudoexfoliative (PE) materials and fragmented zonular fibrils, especially on their lateral aspects. 2. PE materials ranged from 300 to 400 A in width, consisting of several subunits about 100 A wide. 3. Pigment epithelial cells of the iris and nonpigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary process occasionally contained many phagosomes engulfing pigment granules. 4. Near the ciliary process, degenerating zonular bundles were mostly replaced with PE materials and fragmented zonular fibrils, and a gradual transition was observed between them. From the above findings, it is probable that PE material might be mainly composed of degenerated zonular fibrils, which are presumed to be digested with lysosomal enzymes.

The role of the subfornical organ in drinking induced by angiotension in the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Synthetic 5-valine angiotensin II (AII) induced copious drinking when applied directly to the the subfornical organ (SFO) in the Japanese quail. Reliable response was obtained with as little as 1 ng of AII. The amount of water intake increased dose-dependently from 5 ng to 1 microgram. A latent period of 73.0 +/- 11.0 seconds at 100 ng was noted. The electrical destruction of the SFO significantly reduced the amount of water intake induced by both intravenous and intracranial AII injections. The decrease was proportional to the extent of the SFO lesion. It is conceivable, therefore, that the SFO plays an important role in elicitation of drinking by AII in birds as suggested in mammals.

Glycogen and development of outer segment in monkey fetuses

Glycogen particles in developing photoreceptors were investigated in monkey fetuses of various ages under the electron microscope. Glycogen particles were first observed at 100 gestational days in primitive outer segment sacs and inner segments, prior to the appearance of tubulous disc membranes in the peripheral region of outer segment sacs. The particles gradually increased in number as the outer segments differentiated, decreased in number by 143 gestational days, and finally disappeared in the photoreceptors by 160 gestational days, when the photoreceptors were almost formed as in adult monkeys. It is therefore postulated that glycogen particles seen in the photoreceptors are closely concerned with the rapid differentiation of outer segments for a short duration in the developing stages.

Electron microscopic studies on zonule. Its origin and fibroblast

Rabbit fetuses (14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, and 24 days in utero) were examined with an electron microscope, and the following results were obtained: 1. At the equatorial region of the lens, developing endothelium of the tunica vasculosa lentis was very similar in morphology to typical fibroblast. 2. Much debris of amorphous material was observed around the endothelium and fibroblast, but in general, zonule-like fine fibrils were seen near the former, whereas short collagen fibrils were observed around the latter amid amorphous material. 3. Topographically, fibroblasts lay apart from the lens equator, and few fibroblasts migrated into the posterior portion. 4. From the above data it was postulated that debris around the tunica vasculosa lentis in the vicinity of the lens equator was presumably the precursor of zonular fibrils and that fibroblasts had almost no relation to zonular formation.

Leber's congenital amaurosis

An early stage of Leber's congenital amaurosis, characterized by white spots or lines in the fundus, occurred in two children. Light microscopic examination of eyes obtained from one child, a 16-month-old Japanese girl, revealed subretinal deposits corresponding to the white spots and lines in the fundus deposits. Light and electron microscopic examination of the eye showed distinctive changes in the outer retinal layers and choroid, while the inner retinal layers were nearly normal. Characteristic early lesions of congenital amaurosis appeared to be produced by deposits consisting of loose outer segments and apical processes of the pigmental epithelial cell and macrophages. Undifferentiation in the nuclei of the photoreceptor cell, the inner segment, the pigment epithelial cell, and the choriocapillaris were likely characteristics of the early changes of congenital amaurosis.

Cerebellar glioblastoma in childhood. Case report

Ten childhood cerebellar glioblastomas have been reported previously in the world literature. The authors report a case arising de novo in a 9-year-old child and stress the rarity of this tumor.

Eosinophilic granular ceels in oligodendrogliomas. An ultrastructural study

In three cases of oligodendrogliomas, atypical cells rich in eosinophilic cytoplasm, resembling plump astroyctic or astroblastic cells, were studied under the electron microscopy. These cells showed finely granular cytoplasm with routine hematoxylin-eosin preparation; ultrastructurally, they exhibited abundant, round cytoplasmic bodies of autophagic-vacuole type, in addition to other fine structures characteristic of oligodendroglioma cells.

Origin of ghost cell in Coats' disease

A morphological study of Coats' disease was performed with light and electron microscopy. The choroid was intact throughout. The pigment epithelial cells showed proliferative changes, being thickened in two or three rows. The transitional form of ghost cell was observed in contact with the pigment epithelial layer, then migrated toward the subretinal space, and finally invaded the detached retina. It was concluded that the origin of ghost cell in Coats' disease was the pigment epithelium.

Intracranial hemangiopericytomas. Angiography, pathology and differential diagnosis

Intracranial hemangiopericytomas are tumors which angiographically and histologically can mimic other vascular intracranial masses. The term angioblastic meningioma has been applied to this tumor and to other vascular tumors. However, hemangiopericytomas have a unique biological behavior and prognosis as they tend to recur or metastasize and are insensitive to radiation. Hence, the importance of their specific recognition is emphasized. This is a report of the roentgenologic and pathologic fidings in five cases of histologically verified intracranial hemangiopericytomas. The angiographic findings common to these tumors include a myriad of tiny irregular feeding vessels springing from a main trunk, an intense fluffy type of stain, lack of early veins, and prolonged tumor circulation time. The major arterial supply is from the internal carotid or vertebral circulation rather than from external (meningeal) vessels. Differentiation from other vascular tumors particularly supratentorial hemangioblastoma, glioblastoma multiforme, as well as from vascular meningothelial meningioma is important from both the angiographic and histologic aspects.

Effect of thyrocalcitonin on calcium concentration in liver of intact and thyroparathyroidectomized rats

Thyrocalcitonin (TCT; 80 MRC mU/100g) administered SC to intact and thyroparathyroidectomized rats, caused a significant decrease in serum calcium, while increasing the liver calcium concentration. The accumulation of calcium in the liver, induced by TCT, was potentiated by the injection of calcium in both intact and thyroparathyroidectomized rats. In thyroparathyroidectomized rats, the administration of imidazole (30 mg/100 g) produced a significant increase in liver calcium and a corresponding fall in serum calcium. The rise in liver calcium produced by TCT was slightly potentiated by prior administration of imidazole, but was not enhanced by prior administration of theophylline (12 mg/100 g) which caused a significant elevation of serum calcium. These results suggest that the action of TCT on liver calcium does not involve cyclic AMP.

Electron microscopic studies on zonular fibers. II. Changes of the zonular fibers after the treatment with collagenase, alpha-chymotrypsin and hyaluronidase

Adult rabbit zonular fibers maintained in their native condition were treated with collagenase, alpha-chymotrypsin and hyaluronidase, and were observed with the electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Collagenase digested the lens capsule, but not the zonular fibers. 2. Long time collagenase action obscured the cell membrane of the lens epithelium and the basal lamina of the ciliary epithelium. 3. Washing with 0.9% NaCl increased the collagenase action on the lens capsule. 4. Alpha-chymotrypsin digested the zonular fibers and the zonular lemalla, but not the lens capsule and the basal lamina of the ciliary epithelium. 5, Hyaluronidase only slightly changed the lens capsule. 6. The vitreous fibers were digested by collagenase, but not by alpha-chymotrypsin or hyaluronidase. Thes results together with the review of recent literature indicate that the zonular fiber has a nature close to that of the microfibril of elastic fiber.

Infantile spongy degeneration of the central nervous system associated with glycogen storage and markedly fatty liver

The clinical, biochemical, and pathological features of an unusual expression of infantile spongy degeneration of the central white matter are presented with emphasis on neuropathological observations. The topographical distribution of the spongy change along with the observed defect in myelination were such as to suggest an arrest in development of the white matter in late foetal life. Of additional interest, in the present case, is the observed deposition of glycogen in the brain, heart, and liver along with a markedly fatty liver. Our findings are compared with those in other cases of so-called spongy degeneration, as well as with certain of the aminoacidurias and, as a consequence, we wish to suggest that the basic pathogenetic factor probably lies in a disturbance of the biochemical energy supply system rather than in a disorder of myelin lipid metabolism per se.