On the ultrastructure of ependymomas--a semiquantitative analysis of diagnostic criteria in 21 cases with special reference to glycogen as a marker.

We report our results on the ultrastructure of 21 ependymomas and establish the following diagnostic criteria: 1. Glycogen is the most frequently encountered criterion, followed by desmosomes, cilia, basal bodies and microvilli. Fifteen tumors had 3 or more of these features. 2. The allegedly typical nuclear pattern was found in only 6 cases. 3. Special ultrastructural features seen include basement membranes in a mid-thoracic ependymoma. Furthermore we propose the hypothesis that glycogen might be involved in cilia assembly.