Spinal Cord, Dorsal Root Ganglion, Neuron - Vacuolation

Normal appearance of rat dorsal root ganglionic neurons (cresyl violet). Image provided courtesy Dr. G. Krinke.
Figure 1 of 2
comment:
Neuronal vacuolation, while it may be seen in any population of neurons undergoing degeneration, is a particular concern for its neuropathologic significance in the dorsal root ganglia. Figure 1

In view of the known occurrence of neuronal vacuolation as an occasional incidental finding, it is important to carefully examine control and treatment groups for its presence in comparable regions. The existence of associated changes such as neuronal chromatolysis or adjacent responses by glia or satellite cells may be helpful in attributing vacuolization as a lesion.
recommendation:
When present, neuronal vacuolation is diagnosed in NTP studies, the subsite recorded, and the severity graded. In the presence of concurrent lesions, lesions with the most severity are typically diagnosed. Other concurrent lesions may be diagnosed separately, if warranted by the severity.references:
Groves MJ, Scaravilli F. 2005. Pathology of peripheral neuron cell bodies. In: Peripheral Neuropathy, 4th ed (Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, eds). Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, 683-732.
Rogers-Cotrone T, Burgess MP, Hancock SH, Hinckley J, Lowe K, Ehrich MF, Jortner BS. 2010. Vacuolation of sensory ganglion neuron cytoplasm in rats with long-term exposure to organophosphates. Toxicol Pathol 38:554-559 Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20448080
Web page last updated on: January 02, 2014