Tubules of globoid leukodystrophy: a right-handed helix.

Morphologic similarity between the cytoplasmic tubules of globoid leukodystrophy and Gaucher's disease (as demonstrated by thin sectioning, negative staining, and shadowing techniques) and their resemblance to negatively stained beef cerebroside are presented as evidence favoring the accumulation of cerebrosides in globoid cells. The tubules of globoid leukodystrophy have a 60-angstrom periodic banding similar to the tubules of Gaucher's disease. A right-handed helical twisting of the tubules is observed in both diseases.