Cysts

Last updated on Wednesday, September 10 2008 by jdmiles

Related images:

Collid Cyst, coronal section through third ventricle.
Collid cysts of the third ventricle may cause dynamic obstruction of ventricular outflow resulting in a acute hydrocephalus, and occasionally sudden death.

Colloid Cyst, H&E stained section
The lining of the colloid cyst is composed of a layer of ciliated cuboidal cells resting on a well developed basement membrane, consistent with ectodermal derivation.

Craniopharyngioma, coronal section through hypothalamus
Craniopharyngiomas originate near or at the interface of the posterior and anterior pituitary. Though slow growing, they invade into the brain structures surrounding the third ventricle, and are very difficult to remove in their entirety.

Craniopharyngioma, ventral surface of brain, close-up
Craniopharyngiomas invade into the brain from the suprasellar region. Calcification is a classic finding in the typical adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, providing a rationale for the use of CT scanning in the evaluation of suprasellar tumors.

Craniopharyngioma, medium power H&E stained slide demonstrating "wet keratin".
Wet keratin is a classic finding in typical craniopharyngiomas, closely resembling cornification.

Rathke Cyst, H&E stained section, high power
Rathke Cyst is lined by a pseudostratified ciliated cuboidal epithelium on a well developed basement membrane, consistent with epithelial derivation. Rathke cysts often demonstrate squamous metaplasia, which occasionally can dominate the histologic picture

Rathke cyst, low power H&E stain
Rathke Cyst is lined by a pseudostratified ciliated cuboidal epithelium on a well developed basement membrane, consistent with epithelial derivation. Rathke cysts often demonstrate squamous metaplasia, which occasionally can dominate the histologic picture

Dermoid cyst, high power H&E stain
Dermoid cysts comprise a keratinizing squamous mucosa accompanied by adnexal structures such as pilosebaceous apparati.

Epidermoid cyst, high power H&E stained slide.
Epidermoid cysts comprise keratinizing squamous mucosa lacking adnexal structures. The contents consist of dry, flaky keratin imparting a pearly white gross appearance to the cut section, contrasting with the grummose appearance of dermoid cysts.