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Three surgically removed primary arachnoidal cysts were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and two of the cases with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cells lining the cyst cavity had microvilli at the surface, true cilia were absent. In the cytoplasm multivesicular bodies, many pinocytotic vesicles, some large vacuoles and strands of tonofilaments were prominent features. The cells were interconnected by desmosome-like junctions and were separated from the surrounding tissue by a distinct but sometimes incomplete basal membrane. Based on these findings it is concluded that arachnoid cysts are derived from the outer arachnoid cells (subdural neurothelium), the formation of the cysts being attributabel to secretory capacity of the subdural neurothelium.

Hydrocephalus was induced in rats by the injection of silicone oil or kaolin suspension into the cisterna magna. One to 5 weeks later the walls of the lateral ventricles were studied with the scanning electron microscope after killing the animals by perfusion fixation. In contrast to controls, the hydrocephalic animals killed 1 or 2 weeks after injection showed degeneration of ependymal cilia and infestation of the ependymal and choroid plexus surface with reactive cells, which presumably may be identified as Kolmer phagocytic cells by their ultrastructural features as studied by the transmission electron microscope. A coating of debris on the surface of the choroid plexus in the hydrocephalic animals possibly bears upon the ciliary degeneration with consequent deficiency of the clearing effect of ciliary movement. In the longer surviving hydrocephalic animals regeneration of cilia seemed to have occurred.