Ultrastructure of oligodendroglioma of the spinal cord.

Abstract

The cell population and individual cellular features of an oligodendroglioma of the spinal cord in a young woman have been analyzed. The prevalent cell type possesses relatively electron-dense scanty cytoplasm that displays very few and short cell processes. Its perikaryon contains many microtubules, whose average diameter is 200 A, as well as abundant ribosomes. These ultrastructural features are similar to those previously described for normal oligodendrocytes in several animal species. Other cells present in this tumor have been characterized as being astrocytic, primarily on the basis of their cytoplasmic fibrils. The preparations clearly demonstrate the presence of an abundant intercellular matrix, which probably accounts for most of the perinuclear haloes seen in light microscopy. Our study constitutes the first reported ultrastructural study of an oligodendroglioma of the spinal cord.