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Ultrastructural Evidence for Neural Crest Origin of the Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy
Author(s) -
Nikai Hiromasa,
Ijuhin Naokuni,
Yamasaki Akira,
Nutani Kiwamu,
Imai Kazuhiko
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1977.tb01644.x
Subject(s) - neuroblast , neural crest , ultrastructure , biology , neuroepithelial cell , pathology , anatomy , neurite , lesion , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , neural stem cell , neurogenesis , embryo , medicine , biochemistry , in vitro
A case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy, which occurred in the anterior maxilla of a 3‐month‐old girl, was studied by electron microscopy. Polymorphic cellular elements were revealed to be present: large melanin‐producing cells with some of the characteristics of a neuroepithelium, small non‐pigmented cells resembling immature neuroblasts, and many intermediate forms resembling differentiating neuroblasts. All cell types clearly demonstrated ultrastructural features of neurogenic cells, e.g. neurite‐like cytoplasmic processes, fine filaments and microtubules indistinguishable from those seen in normal neurites, synaptic‐like structures, and neurosecretory‐like vesicles. Based on these fine structures, the lesion was presumed to represent a hamartoma of primitive neuroectodermal cells with a tendency toward the differentiation into melanin‐producing cells. The neural crest origin of this tumor was convincingly supported by ultrastructural analysis.