Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the capillary ultrastructure of pilocytic astrocytomas with gadolinium contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cysts were identified in all cases with pilocytic astrocytoma. Histological investigation focusing on the vascular structure was performed by light microscopy and electron microscopy in four pilocytic astrocytomas. In the pilocytic astrocytomas, light microscopic examination demonstrated vascular abnormalities (fibrosis, hyalinization, and vascular proliferation), and electron microscopic examination revealed fenestration and vesicles in the capillary endothelium. Fenestration of the vessels and vascular abnormalities with degeneration are suggested to develop both contrast enhancement on neuroimaging and cystic formation in pilocytic astrocytomas.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Hirano A, Kawanami T, Llena JF (1994) Electron microscopy of the blood-brain barrier in disease. Microsc Res Tech 27:543–556
Rawland LP, Fink ME, Rubin L (1991) Cerebrospinal fluid: blood-brain barrier, brain edema, and hydrocephalus. In: Kandel ER, Scwartz JH, Jessell TM (eds) Principles of neural science, 3rd edn. Elsevier, New York, pp 1050–1060
Reese TS, Karnovsky MJ (1957) Fine structural localization of blood-brain barriers to exogenous peroxidase. J Cell Biol 34:207–217
Fulham MJ, Melisi JW, Nishimiya J, et al, (1993) Neuroimaging of juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas: an enigma. Radiology 189:221–225
Lee YY, Van Tassel P, Bruner JM, et al (1989) Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas: CT and MR characteristics. AJR 152:1263–1270
Burger PC, Scheithauer BW (1994) Tumors of the central nervous system. Atlas of tumor pathology. Series 3, Fascicle 10. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, pp 25–161
Burger PC, Scheithauer BW, Paulus W, et al. (2000) Pilocytic astrocytoma. In: Kleihues P, Cavenee WK (eds) Pathology and genetics of tumours of the nervous system. International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, pp 45–51
Long DM (1970) Capillary ultrastructure and blood-brain barrier in human malignant brain tumors. J Neurosurg 32:127–144
Long DM (1973) Vascular ultrastructure in human meningiomas and schwannomas. J Neurosurg 38:409–419
Hirano A, Dembitzer HM, Becker NH, et al, (1970) Fine structural alterations of the blood-brain barrier in the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 29:432–440
Takeuchi H, Kabuto M, Sato K, et al, (1997) Chiasmal gliomas with spontaneous regression: proliferation and apoptosis. Child's Nerv Syst 13:229–233
Baethmann A, Oettinger W, Rothenfulsser W, et al (1980) Brain the edema factors: current state with particular reference to plasma constituents and glutamate. Adv Neurol 28:171–195
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Takeuchi, H., Kubota, T., Sato, K. et al. Ultrastructure of capillary endothelium in pilocytic astrocytomas. Brain Tumor Pathol 21, 23–26 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482173
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482173