Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

NeuroTest Question #19 Next question Previous question

Answer: D, All of the above. Level of difficulty: 3 NeuroTest NeuroLearn NeuroHelp

Discussion: 

• Pathology: The material being highlighted here is Rosenthal material (fiber). They represent accumulation of b-crystallin which is not immunoreactive for GFAP per se. However, the deposition of GFAP on Rosenthal fibers gives them immunoreactivity for  GFAP on immunostaining. Rosenthal fibers also stain bright red with Masson trichrome stain, blue with Luxol fast blue stain, and purple in PTAH. It is often present but not specific for pilocytic astroctyoma. It can also be seen in Alexander disease, and reactive gliosis.   [Click here to see MRI] [Click here to see histopathology] [Click here to see a related Case]

Comment: KarMing-Fung@ouhsc.edu