Ultrastructural and Histochemical Observations of Optic Nerve Gliomas

Malignant optic nerve glioma. Report of a case with electron microscope study.

“…Clinical diagnosis on initial presentation has in most cases been that of optic neuritis due to the sudden visual loss, often with pain and proptosis. Recently it has been suggested that this might be due to increase in tumour size related to accumulation of mucinous material rather than to any proliferative activity (Anderson and Spencer, 1970). The present tumour contained extracellular mucosubstance and presented cytological features, such as Golgi system hypertrophy and dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material, which might justifiably be construed as evidence of enhanced mucopolysaccharide production.…”

Malignant optic nerve glioma. Report of a case with electron microscope study.

“…Clinical diagnosis on initial presentation has in most cases been that of optic neuritis due to the sudden visual loss, often with pain and proptosis. Recently it has been suggested that this might be due to increase in tumour size related to accumulation of mucinous material rather than to any proliferative activity (Anderson and Spencer, 1970). The present tumour contained extracellular mucosubstance and presented cytological features, such as Golgi system hypertrophy and dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material, which might justifiably be construed as evidence of enhanced mucopolysaccharide production.…”

Recurrence of astrocytoma of optic nerve after 48 years.

“…The diagnosis of astrocytoma was confirmed by electron microscopy despite the fact that all of the tissue had originally been fixed in io per cent formalin. This showed that the principal cells had ultrastructural characteristics similar to those described as tumour astrocytes in juvenile gliomas (Luse 196I;Anderson and Spencer, 1970), in an adult malignant glioma (Hamilton and others,I973), and in an optic tract glioma and a glioblastoma multiforme (Raimondi,Mullan,and Evans,I962). Malignancy is difficult to assess from cell ultrastructure, but the irregular dispersion of nuclear chromatin, the alterations in nucleolar architecture, and the presence of multinucleate cells are generally considered to indicate dedifferentiation.…”

Optic Chiasm Astrocytomas of Childhood

“…Most patients with sponta neous regression have had NF. Ultrastructural studies of optic pathway gliomas have shown that the accumulation of mucosubstance may explain changes in the size of these tumors, whereas neither changes in cell volume nor tumor growth appear to play a role [34],…”

Malignant optic nerve glioma. Report of a case with electron microscope study.

“…Clinical diagnosis on initial presentation has in most cases been that of optic neuritis due to the sudden visual loss, often with pain and proptosis. Recently it has been suggested that this might be due to increase in tumour size related to accumulation of mucinous material rather than to any proliferative activity (Anderson and Spencer, 1970). The present tumour contained extracellular mucosubstance and presented cytological features, such as Golgi system hypertrophy and dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material, which might justifiably be construed as evidence of enhanced mucopolysaccharide production.…”

Recurrence of astrocytoma of optic nerve after 48 years.

“…The diagnosis of astrocytoma was confirmed by electron microscopy despite the fact that all of the tissue had originally been fixed in io per cent formalin. This showed that the principal cells had ultrastructural characteristics similar to those described as tumour astrocytes in juvenile gliomas (Luse 196I;Anderson and Spencer, 1970), in an adult malignant glioma (Hamilton and others,I973), and in an optic tract glioma and a glioblastoma multiforme (Raimondi,Mullan,and Evans,I962). Malignancy is difficult to assess from cell ultrastructure, but the irregular dispersion of nuclear chromatin, the alterations in nucleolar architecture, and the presence of multinucleate cells are generally considered to indicate dedifferentiation.…”

Optic Chiasm Astrocytomas of Childhood

“…Most patients with sponta neous regression have had NF. Ultrastructural studies of optic pathway gliomas have shown that the accumulation of mucosubstance may explain changes in the size of these tumors, whereas neither changes in cell volume nor tumor growth appear to play a role [34],…”

Malignant optic nerve glioma. Report of a case with electron microscope study.

“…Clinical diagnosis on initial presentation has in most cases been that of optic neuritis due to the sudden visual loss, often with pain and proptosis. Recently it has been suggested that this might be due to increase in tumour size related to accumulation of mucinous material rather than to any proliferative activity (Anderson and Spencer, 1970). The present tumour contained extracellular mucosubstance and presented cytological features, such as Golgi system hypertrophy and dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material, which might justifiably be construed as evidence of enhanced mucopolysaccharide production.…”

Recurrence of astrocytoma of optic nerve after 48 years.

“…The diagnosis of astrocytoma was confirmed by electron microscopy despite the fact that all of the tissue had originally been fixed in io per cent formalin. This showed that the principal cells had ultrastructural characteristics similar to those described as tumour astrocytes in juvenile gliomas (Luse 196I;Anderson and Spencer, 1970), in an adult malignant glioma (Hamilton and others,I973), and in an optic tract glioma and a glioblastoma multiforme (Raimondi,Mullan,and Evans,I962). Malignancy is difficult to assess from cell ultrastructure, but the irregular dispersion of nuclear chromatin, the alterations in nucleolar architecture, and the presence of multinucleate cells are generally considered to indicate dedifferentiation.…”

Optic Chiasm Astrocytomas of Childhood

“…Most patients with sponta neous regression have had NF. Ultrastructural studies of optic pathway gliomas have shown that the accumulation of mucosubstance may explain changes in the size of these tumors, whereas neither changes in cell volume nor tumor growth appear to play a role [34],…”