Fine Structural Study of the Mineralization Process in Craniopharyngioma
1988 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 123-127
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1988 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 123-127
The calcification process in eight cases of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma was studied at the ultrastructural level. The neoplastic cells, which constituted the internal and intermediate zones of the tumor, frequently displayed abundant cytoplasmic tonofibrils and, occasionally, keratinization. In most of the degenerated keratinized cells, the intracytoplasmic organelles had disappeared. In these cells, membrane-bound vesicles measuring approximately 0.15 to 0.5μm in diameter, were frequently seen among the numerous tonofibrils. Needle-like, mineralized crystals were precipitated some vesicles. Tiny, calcified vesicles were sometimes aggregated and had coalesced with the adjacent tonofibrils to form a large, calcified mass.
These findings suggest that membrane-bound vesicles are derived from degenerated keratinized cells and play an important role as initial nidi of calcification in craniopharyngioma. Remnants of tonofibrils of degenerated cells may also serve as foci of mineralized crystal deposition.
