Pathophysiology
Ibrahim Natalwala, Ammar Natalwala, E Glucksman in MCQs in Neurology and Neurosurgery for Medical Students, 2022
Which one of the following statements concerning ependymal cells is false? Ependymal cells are simple cuboidal epithelial cells.They line the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord.They provide trophic support and metabolic support for progenitor cells.The choroid plexus is responsible for the re-absorption of CSF.Abnormal ependymal adhesion may lead to hydrocephalus.
Central Nervous System
Pat Price, Karol Sikora in Treatment of Cancer, 2020
Ependymoma is a glioma arising from the ependymal cells that normally line the cerebral ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. They can arise at any site, usually in association with the ventricular system, but are most common in the posterior fossa, where they present with obstruction or with posterior fossa syndrome. The incidence of intracranial tumors is greatest in young children. Imaging usually shows a well-circumscribed tumor with variable contrast enhancement in the characteristic location. They comprise fewer than 2% of all primary CNS tumors. In adults, most are located in the spine, whereas in children, the majority are in the brain, most commonly posterior fossa. Survival is worse in younger patients and with supratentorial location and high-grade disease.
Precision medicine for brain gliomas
Debmalya Barh in Precision Medicine in Cancers and Non-Communicable Diseases, 2018
Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, representing about 80% of malignant brain tumors (Zong et al., 2012; Rajesh et al., 2017). Three different types of gliomas have been described in the brain as astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, and ependymoma (Izci, 2014). Astrocytoma is the most frequent histological type of glioma and arises from the astrocytes (Figures 4.1 and 4.2) (Zong et al., 2012). About 10% of the gliomas are oligodendrogliomas (Figure 4.3). Mixed gliomas, primarily oligoastrocytomas, account for about 5%–10% of all gliomas. Ependymomas arise from the ependymal cells, which lie in the ventricular system and the central canal of the spinal cord. It is relatively rare in adults, accounting for 2%–3% of primary brain tumors, but it is frequent in children. Today, biological markers help pathologists separate oligodendrogliomas from other types of gliomas. Glioma has a poor prognosis (Perry and Wesseling, 2016). Although relatively rare, it causes significant mortality and morbidity. Glioblastoma is the most common and malignant histological type of glioma (approximately 45% of all gliomas) (Akay et al., 2002; Zong et al., 2012). It may be solitary or multicentric in the brain (Izci et al., 2005). Glioblastoma may present with different clinical and radiological characteristics and has a 5-year relative survival of about 5% (Akay et al., 2002; Izci et al., 2005; Bondy et al., 2008; de Robles et al., 2015).
Proteomic examination of the neuroglial secretome: lessons for the clinic
Published in Expert Review of Proteomics, 2020
Jong-Heon Kim, Ruqayya Afridi, Won-Ha Lee, Kyoungho Suk
Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that constitute half of the brain tissue [1,2]. These cells play diverse homeostatic and supportive roles in brain development and function. Previously regarded as simply the glue of the brain, glial cells are now recognized as important functional cells in the brain, with perturbations in their functions leading to a pathological state [1]. Glial cells are in a continuous, intimate association with neurons and regulate neuronal functioning in multiple ways [3]. These cells are classified into four major types, namely astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells, each with a distinct role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells and regulate neuronal function by providing metabolites, ion homeostasis, recycling neurotransmitters, and synaptogenesis [4]. Microglia are the brain resident macrophages, surveying the brain parenchyma to protect it from noxious stimuli. Microglia also play an important role in synaptogenesis during brain development [5,6]. Oligodendrocytes, another important class of glial cells, are myelin-producing cells that provide neuronal axons with metabolic support and regulate action potentials through saltatory conduction. Ependymal cells are ciliated glial cells that line the ventricular surface of the brain and regulate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
An eye on the future for defeating hydrocephalus, ciliary dyskinesia-related hydrocephalus: review article
Published in British Journal of Neurosurgery, 2022
Amr Ali Hasanain, Mohamed A. R. Soliman, Reem Elwy, Ahmed A. M. Ezzat, Sameh H. Abdel-Bari, Sascha Marx, Alistair Jenkins, Ehab El Refaee, Ahmed Zohdi
Cilia play a part in CSF production and circulation as a structural component of choroid plexus as well as ependymal cells and are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus (HCP).28 The ependyma is a ciliated epithelium with an average of 16 water propelling 9 + 2 cilia per cell about 10–15 μm in length with uniform width rather than being tapered. Ependymal cilia are believed to be longer and have a higher beat frequency than respiratory cilia.17 The ependymal cilia motion contributes to the CSF flow as their uniform coordinated beating facilitates the directional flow of the CSF through the ventricular system.17,18,29,39,40
Giant intradural extramedullary spinal ependymoma, a rare arachnoiditis-mimicking condition: case report and literature review
Published in British Journal of Neurosurgery, 2023
Nicolò Marchesini, Christian Soda, Umberto Maria Ricci, Giampietro Pinna, Franco Alessandrini, Claudio Ghimenton, Riccardo Bernasconi, Gaetano Paolino, Marco Teli
Ependymomas are tumours arising from the ependymal cells lining the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. They represent the most common intramedullary spinal cord tumour in adults and are classified as either WHO grade II or III.1,2 Ependymomas are very rarely encountered in an extra-medullary location. To our knowledge, only 40 cases of IDEM ependymomas have been reported, all of which were identified on MRI as IDEM tumours before surgery. In our case, due to the peculiar radiological pattern, a diagnosis of spinal arachnoiditis was initially suggested. Surprisingly, a T1-T12 IDEM ependymoma was resected. To our knowledge, our case represents the largest IDEM ependymoma ever described.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Central Nervous System
- Cerebrospinal Fluid
- Glia
- Simple Columnar Epithelium
- Ventricular System
- Spinal Cord
- Brain
- Neuroepithelial Cell
- Central Canal
- Neuroregeneration