Electron microscopic observation of optic nerve glioma (Japanese)

This glioma in the optic nerve of an 18 mth old child, examined by light and electron microscopy, was unusually large and showed the characteristic features of a fibrillary astrocytoma. The tumor cells were uniform and looked quite benign. Numerous intracellular glial fibrils were found associated with Rosenthal fibers and frequent calcium deposits. These features indicate a slow growing tumor of long duration, confirming the generally supported assumption of congenital optic nerve gliomas. An unsuspected feature was the fenestrated blood vessels, the possible origin of which is discussed.