Ultrastructural study of a perineurioma

‘Sclerosing’ Perineurioma: A Tumor Variant?

We describe two examples of soft tissue perineurioma, a hard tumor, 1.7 cm in diameter, involving the dermis and superficial subcutaneous tissue of the left thumb, and the other a massive, lobulated lesion of the pelvis. Both occurred in 49-year-old men. Both were mobile and well demarcated but unencapsulated. Their cut surfaces were white and collagenous. Microscopically, each consisted of spindle-shaped or epithelioid tumor cells in a dense stroma of haphazardly oriented collagen bundles. Spindle-shaped cells were individually distributed, whereas epithelioid cells were often arranged in cords or clusters. Cytologic atypia was conspicuous in the massive tumor, but no mitotic activity was observed. Immunostains showed diffuse reactivity for vimentin, membrane pattern staining for epithelial membrane antigen and type IV collagen, as well as patchy CD34 reactivity. Stains for S-100 protein, Leu-7, smooth muscle actin, desmin, and cytokeratin were negative. Ultrastructural studies showed perineurial cell characteristics, including slender cytoplasmic processes, numerous pinocytotic vesicles, occasional tight junctions, and discontinuous surface basement membrane. Perineuriomas featuring marked stromal sclerosis often occur in the hands of young adults, as has recently been reported; the authors considered it a clinicopathologic variant. Herein we report two sclerotic perineuriomas, one a small tumor of the thumb and the other a centrally situated, massive pelvic tumor with sclerosis and degenerative cytologic atypia. We believe that exaggerated collagen deposition in perineuriomas, occasionally associated with degenerative nuclear changes, is not a manifestation of a unique, clinically relevant tumor variant but rather a manifestation of chronicity akin to that seen in “ancient schwannoma” and ‘atypical neurofibroma.’

Intraneural perineurioma: a systematic review with illustrative cases

CONTEXT

Intraneural perineurioma may be confused with other "onion bulb" Schwann cell entities (localized hypertrophic neuropathy, reactive/demyelinating processes, or inherited polyneuropathies of Charcot-Marie-Tooth/Dejerine Sottas) due to similar clinical, radiologic, and histologic features. Perineurial and Schwann cells can only be differentiated by ultrastructure and immunohistochemsitry.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and summarize the clinicopathologic features of true cases of intraneural perineurioma from the English language literature.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review was performed on definitive intraneural perineuriomas identified through Medline. Baylor College of Medicine-affiliated hospitals' anatomic pathology databases yielded 2 illustrative intraneural perineurioma cases.

STUDY SELECTION

Intraneural perineurioma inclusion criteria consisted of characteristic histology and confirmation of perineurial cell lineage by either immunohistochemistry (epithelial membrane antigen positive, S100 protein negative) and/or ultrastructural analysis (thin cytoplasmic processes with an incomplete basal lamina, poorly formed tight junctions, and pinocytotic vesicles).

DATA EXTRACTION

Clinicopathologic data were extracted from all identified articles, with subsequent statistical analysis of the following parameters: age, sex, race, tumor location, tumor size, duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis, treatment modalities and outcomes measures, follow-up assessment for tumor recurrence and metastasis, clinical features (history of trauma, motor/sensory abnormalities, clinical/family history), and diagnostic workup (routine histology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural analysis, and molecular/cytogenetic characteristics).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraneural perineurioma is a neoplastic proliferation of perineurial cells with unique immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural features, and it is distinct from other onion bulb Schwann cell-derived entities. Despite harboring molecular abnormalities of the long arm of chromosome 22, intraneural perineurioma has not been associated with neurofibromatosis. Intraneural perineurioma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor that does not recur or metastasize.

Perineurioma: a distinctive and underrecognized peripheral nerve sheath neoplasm

CONTEXT

Perineuriomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms composed of perineurial cells with characteristic immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features. They have been traditionally classified into two main types according to their location--intraneural and extraneural--and overlap histologically with many other tumors, which may be diagnostically challenging to general surgical pathologists.

OBJECTIVE

To review the clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic aspects of perineurioma, as well as to discuss its clinicopathologic variants and differential diagnosis.

DATA SOURCES

English-language literature published between 1966 and 2005 was reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

The correct identification of perineuriomas is important to avoid unnecessary overtreatment. The histologic diagnosis should be confirmed through immunohistochemical studies (including epithelial membrane antigen, S100 protein, and more recently described antibodies such as claudin-1 and GLUT1) or electron microscopy. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies are still of limited value for the diagnosis of perineuriomas but may play a fundamental role in excluding important differential diagnoses and also in helping elucidate the biology of these poorly known neoplasms.

Soft tissue perineurioma: clinicopathologic analysis of 81 cases including those with atypical histologic features

Perineuriomas are uncommon benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors that include soft tissue, sclerosing, and intraneural variants. Fewer than 50 soft tissue perineuriomas have been reported to date, and the clinical significance of atypical histologic features is unknown. To characterize these tumors further, 81 soft tissue perineuriomas received between 1994 and 2003 were retrieved from the authors' consult files. Hematoxylin and eosin sections were reexamined, immunohistochemistry was performed, and clinical details were obtained from referring physicians. Forty-three patients were female and 38 male (mean age, 46 years; range, 10-79 years). Tumor size ranged from 0.3 to 20 cm (mean, 4.1 cm) in greatest dimension. Most patients presented with a painless mass. The tumors arose in a wide anatomic distribution: 36 lower limb, 19 upper limb, 15 trunk, 7 head and neck, 3 retroperitoneum, and 1 paratesticular. Forty-two tumors were situated primarily in subcutis, 25 in deep soft tissue, and 9 were limited to the dermis. Nearly all cases were grossly well circumscribed; 12 showed focal microscopically infiltrative margins. Most tumors had a storiform and focally whorled growth pattern; 17 exhibited fascicular areas. Thirty-eight tumors were hypocellular, 15 were markedly hypercellular, and 7 showed alternating zones of hypocellularity and hypercellularity. Stroma was usually collagenous but in 17 tumors was predominantly myxoid, and in 16 was mixed collagenous and myxoid. Mitoses ranged from 0 to 13 per 30 high power fields (mean, 1); 53 tumors had no mitoses. Based on worrisome cytologic or architectural features, 14 cases were classified as atypical perineuriomas: 12 contained scattered pleomorphic cells, 1 showed an abrupt transition from typical morphology to a markedly hypercellular, fascicular area with cytologic atypia, and 1 exhibited diffuse infiltration of skeletal muscle. All tumors were reactive for epithelial membrane antigen; 50 of 78 (64%) expressed CD34, 22 of 76 (29%) claudin-1, 16 of 77 (21%) smooth muscle actin, and 4 of 81 (5%) S-100 protein. All tumors were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament protein, and desmin. Clinical follow-up was available for 43 patients (mean, 41 months; range, 6-146 months). Among tumors for which the status of surgical margins was known, 52% were widely excised, 31% were marginally excised, and 18% had positive margins. Only two tumors recurred locally (one of which was atypical): one recurred 10 years following primary excision; and one recurred twice, 5 and 9 years following excision. No tumor metastasized. Soft tissue perineuriomas behave in a benign fashion and rarely recur. Atypical histologic features (including scattered pleomorphic cells and infiltrative margins) seem to have no clinical significance and appear to be akin to those seen in ancient schwannoma and atypical (bizarre) neurofibroma.

Peripheral nerve tumors: management strategies and molecular insights

Because of its relative rarity and a wide variety of clinical manifestations, peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs) often present to specialists from widely different disciplines, thus often resulting in delayed diagnosis and a non-cohesive pattern of management. Critical appraisal of the history and physical examination followed by radiological investigations, by experienced medical personnel, ultimately suggests that the extremity mass is perhaps a PNT, rather than the wide variety and more common soft tissue tumors. Included in this appraisal is a search for a pre-disposition syndrome, the most common of which are neurofibromatosis-1 and -2 (NF1, NF2) and schwannomatosis, which may require life-long careful follow up. Intra-operative and post-operative management decisions in a multidisciplinary manner with knowledge of the biological, pathological and clinical behavior of the PNT, is of utmost importance. In the context of pre-disposition syndromes, where multiple tumors may exist along with other nervous system lesions, molecular biological insights and hopefully the biological therapies that stem from this knowledge are of interest. In this article the spectrum of PNTs and their management protocols, including the algorithm for treatment of malignant PNTs advocated by our institute, are presented and currently available genetic insights and probable role of experimental therapies are briefly reviewed.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with EMa+ cells. Report of a case suggesting perineurial cell differentiation

A case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) with epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)-positive cells is described. The tumor was excised from the left groin of a 28-year-old woman. It showed characteristic histologic features of DFSP with typical diffuse immunohistochemical positivity for CD34. Moreover, scattered neoplastic cells expressed EMA, suggesting perineural cell differentiation. Ultrastructural study found perineurial cell features, such as thin long bipolar cytoplasmic processes, pinocytotic vesicles, fragments of external lamina and/or external lamina-like material, attachment plaques, and desmosome-like junctions. This observation, together with previous immunohistochemical findings of EMA-positive cells in a subset of DFSPs, strongly suggests perineurial cell differentiation in these tumors. DFSP should be included in the differential diagnosis of EMA-positive spindle cell lesions of superficial soft tissue and skin.

Intra-osseous soft tissue perineurioma of the inferior alveolar nerve

This report describes an intra-osseous perineurioma affecting the inferior alveolar nerve, the second at this site, of a 53-year-old man. It produced a well defined, partially corticated, round radiolucency associated with resorption of the root apices of 36 and 37. Histology showed a circumscribed, partially encapsulated cellular tumour composed of bland spindle cells with undulating nuclei and indistinct cell membranes arranged in interlacing fascicles. The tumour was strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen, collagen IV and laminin, with only scattered S100-positive cells and lack of CD34 expression. Electron microscopy showed elongated cells with continuous external laminae of basement membrane-like material, subplasmalemmal densities, desmosome-like junctions, and variable numbers of micropinocytotic vesicles. The lesion was surgically excised and in 9 months there has been no recurrence.

Reticular perineurioma: a distinctive variant of soft tissue perineurioma

Soft tissue perineurioma is a relatively recently characterized, uncommon tumor composed of perineurial cells exhibiting immunoreactivity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). These lesions occur preferentially in adults and may arise in a wide variety of anatomic sites. We report the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of six cases of a poorly recognized morphologic variant of soft tissue perineurioma, characterized by a highly distinctive reticular growth pattern. Four of the patients were women, two were men (age range, 34-61 yrs; median, 43 yrs). Four of the cases arose in the subcutis of the upper extremity; three were located distally (thumb, finger, palm), whereas one was situated more proximally near the elbow region. One case each was located in the gingiva and subcutaneous tissue of the inguinal region, respectively. In those cases in which clinical information was available (n = 5), the lesions were asymptomatic and had been present from 4 months to 10 years before resection. Tumor size ranged from 1.5 cm to 10 cm (median size, 4.25 cm). Microscopically the lesions demonstrated a predominantly lace-like or reticular growth pattern composed of anastomosing cords of fusiform cells with bipolar cytoplasmic processes and palely eosinophilic cytoplasm. Nuclei were centrally placed, ovoid to fusiform in shape, and no mitoses were seen. Transition to more cellular areas was focally present in all cases. The stroma was variably collagenous to myxoid. Immunohistochemically all six cases stained positively for EMA but not for S-100 protein. Two cases demonstrated focal positive cytoplasmic staining for cytokeratin, whereas one case was focally desmin positive. Ultrastructural examination of two tumors showed typical features of perineurial cells. Follow up (available in only two cases) showed no evidence of recurrence. Reticular perineurioma of soft tissue represents an unusual morphologic variant within the perineurioma group, which should be distinguished from myoepithelial tumors, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, and myxoid synovial sarcoma.

Myxoma is not a single entity: a review of the concept of myxoma

Myxoid lesions can be subdivided into (1) mainstream myxomas of soft tissues, (2) mainstream myxomas located outside the soft tissue, (3) inadequately substantiated myxomas, (4) myxoid soft tissue tumors or lesions not regarded as myxomas, (5) myxoid fatty conditions, (6) other soft tissue lesions and tumors that are sometimes markedly myxoid, (7) other soft tissue tumors in which myxoid foci may be seen, and (8) nonneoplastic myxoid conditions of soft tissue. More than 60 such conditions are listed and the five entities regarded as mainstream soft tissue myxomas (namely, intramuscular myxoma, juxta-articular myxoma, superficial angiomyxoma, aggressive angiomyxoma, and myxoid neurothekeoma [myxoma of nerve sheath]) are reviewed in detail. Intramuscular myxoma is exclusively intramuscular, usually affects middle-aged women, is most commonly located in the thigh, and does not recur after simple excision. Multiple intramuscular myxomas are rare and are usually associated with monostotic or polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and Albright's syndrome. Juxta-articular myxoma histologically resembles an intramuscular myxoma, but involves periarticular tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, muscles, and even the subcutis of adults. It may be associated with osteoarthritis of the adjacent joint. Some 30% recur locally. Superficial angiomyxoma also has been called cutaneous myxoma. It affects all ages, with a peak incidence in the third and fourth decades; arises in the trunk, lower limb, head, and neck regions; and usually measures less than 5 cm in diameter. Epithelial components are present in approximately 25% of tumors. Approximately one third recur locally, but there have been no metastases. Patients with multiple lesions may have the Carney complex. Aggressive angiomyxoma usually arises in the pelvic and perineal regions and affects females seven times as often as males. Tumors usually measure 10 cm or more in diameter, invade surrounding tissues, and recur in approximately 50% of cases. None have metastasized. Myxoma of nerve sheath (the myxoid variant of neurothekeoma) preferentially affects the dermis and subcutis of the cervicofacial areas and shoulders of young women. Most patients are younger than 40 years; one third of them are in the second decade of life. The majority of tumors measure between 0.5 and 1.5 cm. Only three of 102 cases compiled from the two largest published series recurred; none metastasized. The different clinicopathologic features and behavior of these five mainstream myxomas indicate that myxoma is not a single entity.

Extraneural retiform perineuriomas. A report of four cases

We present here four cases of extraneural perineurioma (EP), which occurred in 31, 32, 42 and 43 year old women in the left hand, right arm (2 cases) and right axillary regions, respectively. All tumors were well circumscribed, with a thin capsule. They were 2, 2, 1.5 and 1.5 cm in the largest diameter. Microscopically all tumors had a distinctive appearance composed of interconnected cords of cells which ran in a parallel fashion or formed a characteristically looking cellular lattice. These cords were composed of cells with tapered to stellate shaped nuclei having one or two inconspicuous nucleoli. The space between the cells of the lattice was edematous and empty looking, or it was composed of myxoid matrix, or it was filled with characteristically looking globular deposits of collagen extracellular matrix. These globular deposits of collagen extracellular matrix often indented the nuclei, giving them a stellar appearance. Immunohistochemically all tumors reacted positively with antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen. Antibodies to smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, S-100 protein, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, cytokeratin CAM 5.2, and HMB-45 gave uniformly negative immunohistochemical results.

Resection and graft repair for localized hypertrophic neuropathy

OBJECTIVES

Formulation of surgical management recommendations for localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy has been difficult because of the infrequency of the lesion, lack of precise pathological diagnosis, and uncertainties regarding its cause. The purpose of this retrospective review of the Louisiana State University (LSU) experience with this unusual neuropathy was to evaluate the efficacy of lesion resection and interposition grafting in its management.

METHODS

The charts of 15 patients operated on at LSU during a 15-year period with a pathological diagnosis of localized hypertrophic neuropathy were reviewed.

RESULTS

Hypertrophic lesions were located on major named peripheral nerves of the extremities, distributed equally to the upper and lower extremities. Family history was negative for all patients, and entrapment or trauma, other than previous surgery, were unlikely by symptom location or history. Weakness was the most common presentation. The mean length of symptoms was 76 months. Atrophy, sensory loss, Tinel's sign, focal tenderness, and a mass were found in the majority of patients. Preoperative electrophysiological studies showed chronic denervational changes in all patients. At surgery, if no action potential or one of low amplitude was recorded across the lesion, the lesion was resected and an autologous nerve graft measuring from 3.5 to 8.5 cm in length was interposed. During follow-up periods of 1 or more years, seven of nine patients with localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy treated with graft repairs were either unchanged or improved.

CONCLUSION

Localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy is a progressive process associated with pathological nerve changes that correlate with eventual severe functional loss. If intraoperative histological examination shows onion bulb neuropathy and intraoperative nerve action potentials confirm a nonfunctioning or poorly functioning segment, lesion resection with interposition graft repair provides the possibility of some degree of recovery.

Perineurial cell tumor (perineurioma) with granular cells

A form of benign cutaneous tumor with perineurioma findings and with the presence of associated granular cells is described. The two cases studied consisted of whorls made up of a high number of circumferentially arranged flattened cells, with perineurial characteristics, including bipolar cell processes, pinocytotic vesicles, a basal lamina, a positive immunoreactivity for EMA, and absence of immunostaining for S-100 protein. The granular cells, enclosed within the whorls, contained densely packed vesicles, particles with an apparently solid core, as well as membrane-limited vacuoles with disintegrating cellular organelles and electron-dense amorphous material. While failing to demonstrate any immunoreactivity for EMA, the granular cells showed positivity for S-100 protein, which supports their Schwann-cell origin. Due to its morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics, this peculiar form of tumor can be considered as a perineurioma with perineurial cell whorls and granular cell changes occurring in associated Schwann cells at the center of the whorls.

Soft-tissue perineurioma. Evidence for an abnormality of chromosome 22, criteria for diagnosis, and review of the literature

Reported herein are two examples of soft-tissue perineurioma (STP), one arising in the maxillary sinus and the other in subcutaneous tissue of the thigh. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were performed in both cases. Based on our findings and a critical review of the literature, STPs are generally small, well-circumscribed but not encapsulated tumors. Histologically, most STPs resemble fibroblastic tumors, being composed of elongated, wavy cells. The immunohistochemical reactivity for epithelial membrane antigen, the lack of reactivity for S-100 protein, and the presence of ultrastructural features of perineurial cells are typical of this tumor. To explore the possibility that STP, like the intraneural variety of perineurioma, exhibits an abnormality of chromosome 22, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization with a probe specific for the M-bcr locus, which maps to the chromosome band 22q11. In both our tumors, a high percentage of nuclei having only one M-bcr signal (44 and 96%) was observed. Our findings indicated deletion of part or all of chromosome 22 and support the view that both soft-tissue and intraneural perineurioma are part of a spectrum of perineurial neoplasia.

Ultrastructural study of a perineurioma with ribosome-lamella complexes

The participation of the perineurial cell in peripheral nerve tumors is the subject of much debate. The case of a 75-year-old female with a soft tissue tumor on her left shoulder is presented. The tumor had histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical characteristics of a pure perineurial cell neoplasm. Ultrastructurally, distinctive ribosome-lamella complexes were found in the cytoplasm of the perineurial cells. This may be the first time that these structures have been described in perineurioma.

Intratemporal facial nerve perineurioma

Forty-two cases of perineurioma have been reported in the literature. This report adds the first intratemporal facial nerve perineurioma to the literature and reviews the others. Unlike schwannoma and neurofibroma, the histological features of perineurioma demonstrate onion bulb-like structures with a strong positive immunoreactivity for epithelial membrane antigen. The clinical history of gradual facial nerve paresis was 15 years in the case presentation and the clinical diagnosis of tumor was overlooked.

Perineurioma (storiform perineurial fibroma): clinico-pathological analysis of four cases

Four cases of perineurioma (storiform perineurial fibroma) arising in the dermis, subcutis, or deep soft tissue have been studied. Two patients were female and two were male with ages ranging from 19 to 45 years. One lesion each arose on the chest wall, shoulder, neck, and elbow. Follow-up information in three patients revealed no recurrence. Histologically, the neoplasms were circumscribed but non-encapsulated lesions and were composed of spindle cells with elongated bipolar cytoplasmic processes, inconspicuous fusiform nuclei and well-defined palely eosinophilic cytoplasm. These cells were arranged in whorls or lamellar-like structures and often demonstrated a storiform growth pattern. In areas, the tumour cells appeared larger with more rounded nuclei. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumour cells stained positive for epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin, but failed to stain for S-100 protein, neurofilament, desmoplakin, and CD34. Ultrastructurally, two cases showed fusiform tumour cells with long, thin cell processes separated by abundant collagen bundles. Tumour cells were covered by discontinuous external lamina, showed many pinocytic vesicles and occasionally desmosome-like structures. The morphology and EMA immunopositivity of perineurioma are similar to meningioma, especially to cutaneous meningioma type II. We believe that perineurioma and meningioma are closely related, but morphologically distinguishable, neoplasms.

Localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy involving spinal roots and associated with sacral meningocele. Case report

Hypertrophic nerve lesions displaying onion-bulb cellular formations are quite rare in the absence of a generalized hypertrophic neuropathy. The isolated peripheral nerve lesion has been termed "localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy" (LHN), and fewer than 30 cases of this condition have been reported. Very little is known regarding the etiology and the natural course of this rare disorder. A unique case of LHN afflicting spinal roots in association with a sacral meningocele is reported with a brief review of the relevant literature. The unique features of this case not only reveal a variable clinical presentation of the disease but also support the theory that LHN may be a localized reaction to nerve trauma or entrapment.

Perineurial cell differentiation in benign tumors and tumorlike proliferation of peripheral nerves

An unusual, benign, spindle cell peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) is reported that on ultrastructural examination was composed only of perineurial cells. The neoplastic cells showed positive immunoreactivity for S-100 protein and negative immunoreactivity for epithelial membrane antigen; this is not the expected immunophenotype of a perineurioma. Continued examination of benign PNSTs using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry has the potential to reveal additional variations in the cellular composition and immunophenotype of these soft tissue tumors. PNSTs such as the one described will renew the debate about the cytogenesis of the perineurial cell and its role in PNSTs.

Plexiform soft tissue tumor composed predominantly of perineurial fibroblasts (perineurioma)

A 15-year-old girl presented with a small, indolent mass near the knee joint. Light microscopy revealed a peculiar myxoid plexiform tumor composed of cytologically bland cells. Interpretation of the initial biopsy material was controversial. Subsequent immunohistochemical studies revealed tumor cells to be strongly reactive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and negative for S-100 protein. Ultrastructural studies revealed tumor cells with long, thin, bipolar cell processes and discontinuous basal laminae. They had no epithelial or histiocytoid features. Admixed among the tumor cells were Schwann cells, but they represented a rare and scattered component of the overall cell population. These features are most consistent with a so-called perineurioma and contrast with those of plexiform neurofibroma and traumatic neuroma (two lesions strongly positive for S-100 protein and showing a distinctive EMA immunoreactivity pattern with focal peripheral staining of neural bundles).

Peripheral nerve sheath differentiation in malignant soft tissue tumours: an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

Thirteen soft tissue sarcomas with ultrastructural evidence of nerve sheath differentiation were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Three arose in a major nerve or nerve trunk and four patients had von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. Ultrastructurally, 10 cases showed variable differentiation towards Schwann cells, two resembled perineurial cells and one tumour had features suggestive of both cell types. Immunostaining for S-100 protein was positive in eight Schwann cell tumours, negative in the other two Schwann cell tumours and negative in those with perineurial-like cells. No cases demonstrated epithelial membrane antigen, so that the existence of perineurial cells in malignant nerve sheath tumours remains immunohistochemically unsubstantiated; it may be that the perineurial-like cells are merely incompletely differentiated Schwann cells, with nerve sheath differentiation manifesting a continuous spectrum. Leu 7 was detected in four Schwann cell tumours, three of which were ultrastructurally well differentiated. Cytokeratin and desmin were demonstrated only in an undifferentiated pleomorphic area of one Schwann cell tumour. Electronmicroscopy can aid diagnosis by revealing nerve sheath differentiation in malignant soft tissue tumours without demonstrable S-100 protein.

The enigmatic perineurial cell and its participation in tumors and in tumorlike entities

The perineurial cells that make up the perineurium of peripheral nerve fascicles are characterized by distinct ultrastructural features, including non-branching thin cytoplasmic processes coated by an external lamina and joined at their ends by a tight junction, few organelles, actin and vimentin filaments, and numerous pinocytotic vesicles. Perineurial cells are immunoreactive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) but not for the Schwann cell markers S-100 protein and Leu-7. The cytogenesis of the perineurium remains disputable, with morphologic, immunohistochemical, and experimental evidence supporting origin from the fibroblast, Schwann cell, and arachnoid cap cell. Ultrastructural studies more recently supported by immunolocalization of EMA have detected hyperplastic and neoplastic perineuriallike cells in a number of pseudoneoplastic lesions and true neoplasms, notably localized hypertrophic neuropathy, neurofibromas of various types, and perineurioma.

The value of electronmicroscopy and immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas: a study of 200 cases

Two hundred soft tissue sarcomas, accrued consecutively over a 4-year period, were examined by light and electronmicroscopy and by routine immunohistochemistry. The commonest tumour type was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Fibrosarcoma, composed only of fibroblasts, was diagnosed in only one case; three others, composed also of myofibroblasts, could be regarded as fibrosarcomas or myofibrosarcomas. Immunohistochemistry was of most value in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of Schwann cell type and epithelioid sarcoma. Electronmicroscopy was of most use for the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of perineurial cell type and marker-negative monophasic synovial sarcoma, and for confirming malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Fifteen of 19 marker-negative spindle cell tumours (79%) were diagnosable by electronmicroscopy. A combination of techniques resulted in a specific diagnosis in 193 cases (96.5%). The routine use of electronmicroscopy in sarcoma diagnosis can improve accuracy of diagnosis, establish the true frequency of marker-positivity for each ultrastructurally confirmed tumour type and minimise the number of unclassifiable cases.

Cytokeratin filaments and desmosomes in the epithelioid cells of the perineurial and arachnoidal sheaths of some vertebrate species

Using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry with a large panel of antibodies to various cytoskeletal proteins we have noted that the single- or multi-layered sheaths of epithelioid cells ("neurothelia") surrounding peripheral nerves (perineurial cells) or structures of the central nervous system, including the optic nerve (arachnoid cells), show remarkable interspecies differences in their cytoskeletal complements. In two anuran amphibia examined (Xenopus laevis, Rana ridibunda), the cells of both forms of neurothelia, i.e., perineurial and arachnoid, are interconnected by true desmosomes and are rich intermediate-sized filaments (IFs) of the cytokeratin type. Among higher vertebrates, a similar situation is found in the bovine and chicken nervous systems, in which the arachnoid cells of the meninges contain desmosomes and IFs of both the cytokeratin (apparently with restricted epitope accessibilities in the chicken) and the vimentin type, whereas the perineurial cells of many nerves contain cytokeratin IFs, often together with vimentin, but no desmosomes. In contrast, in rat arachnoidal and perineurial cells significant reactions have been observed neither for cytokeratins nor for desmosomes. In the human nervous system, cytokeratins and desmosomes have also not been seen in the various perineuria studied whereas desmosomes are frequent in arachnoidal cell layers which are dominated by vimentin IFs and only in certain small regions of the brain contain some additional cytokeratins. The occurrence of cytokeratins in the tissues found positive by immunohistochemistry has been confirmed by gel electrophoresis of cytoskeletal proteins, followed by immunoblotting. Our results emphasize both similarities and differences between the neurothelia on the one hand and epithelia or endothelia on the other, justifying classification as a separate kind of tissue, i.e., neurothelium. The observations of interspecies differences lead to the challenging conclusion that neither desmosomes nor cytokeratins are essential for the basic functions of neurothelial sheaths nor does the specific type of IF protein expressed in these cells appear to matter in this respect. The results are also discussed in relation to the cytoskeletal characteristics of other epithelioid tissues and of human neurothelium-derived tumors.

Neuropathy with onion bulb formations and pure motor manifestations

A thirty-eight-year-old man presented with a six year history of symptoms resembling an anterior horn cell disorder. There was progressive upper extremity wasting and weakness in the absence of sensory complaints. Electrophysiologic abnormalities were confined to motor nerve conduction and indicated a demyelinating process involving the brachial plexus and major proximal upper extremity nerve trucks bilaterally. Biopsy of the proximal right ulnar nerve revealed changes suggesting a chronic demyelinating process, and onion-bulb formations were present. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein was positive in the cells comprising the onion-bulbs, indicating a Schwann cell, not a perineurial origin of these cells. After 8 years, symptoms have failed to appear in the lower limbs. Recent reports in the literature have begun to delineate the syndrome, which appears to represent an unusual, localized or multifocal, sometimes inflammatory, clinically benign neuropathy that can mimic motor neuron disease in its earlier stages. We report the first such case with underlying pathology.