PITUITARY ADENOMAS IN CUSHING DISEASE - HISTOLOGIC, ULTRASTRUCTURAL, AND IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (9) , 448-455
Abstract
Twenty-two pituitary adenomas in Cushing''s disease were removed by transsphenoidal surgery. In 6 patients the pituitary tumor became manifest following adrenalectomy (Nelson''s syndrome). Sixteen tumors were microadenomas measuring 2-9 mm, while 2 were diffuse invasive adenomas verified at postmortem examination. Light microscopy showed that the tumors were made of basophilic cells containing PAS[periodic acid schiff]-positive granules that stained blue with Herlant tetrachrome and lead hematoxylin. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the granules stained positively with antiserum to ACTH or to .beta.-lipotropic hormone (.beta.-LPH) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. EM study of the tumor cells showed ACTH and .beta.-LPH containing granules varying in size, shape and amount. Perinuclear bundles of 70 .ANG. microfilaments constituted a specific ultrastructural finding.

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