Ultrastructural observation of Niemann-Pick cells in patient's of proliferative adenotonsil

Objective:To observe the ultrastructure of Niemann-Pick cells in the adenotonsil of Niemann-Pick patient.Methods:The ultrathin sections of adenotonsil tissue were prepared and observed under the transmission electron microscope(TEM).Results:Under the TEM,the typical Niemann-Pick cells are round or elongated in shape with plenty of cytoplasm.There are a number of osmiophilic lamellar bodies which arranged in lamellar or cocentric circles in the cytoplasm.Single or multiple layers of basal lamina present at the basal part of cell and a few pinocytotic vesicles were noticed under the cell membrane.Conclusions:Under the TEM,the osmiophilic lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of reticuloendothelial cells is the morphologic evidence of Niemann-Pick cell,which provide the ultrastructual and differential diagnosis for Niemann-Pick disease.