Olivary enlargement: stage of initial astrocytic changes

Clin Neuropathol. 1988 Jan-Feb;7(1):39-43.

Abstract

Light and electron microscopic morphometry was carried out on an autopsy patient with olivary enlargement and secondary degeneration of the central tegmental tract due to a pontine tegmental lesion. The authors found active participation of neuropile astrocytic processes in the early stage of olivary enlargement before the appearance of gemistocytic astrocytes. The presence of a new stage between the stages of olivary hypertrophy and culminant olivary enlargement was clarified for the first time through electron microscopic and morphometric analysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Olivary Nucleus / pathology*
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali / pathology