Ultrastructure of the onion bulb-like lamellated structure observed in the sural nerve in a case of von Recklinghausen's disease

Summary

Examination of photo and electron microscopical preparations of a biopsied sural nerve from a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease is reported. In the toluidine blue stained Epon-sections the number of myelinated fibers per square millimeter was moderately decreased and the number of large myelinated fibers was severely reduced. Large, circular, lamellated structures which resemble the onion bulb were observed. These structures are different from the previously reported onion bulb in their size and core structure which contains usually a degenerated nerve fiber. Some consideration was given to the origin of these onion bulb-like lamellated structures.