Mitochondria morphopathological changes in human congenital hydrocephalus, Arnold-Chiari malformation and postmeningitis hydrocephalus. An electron microscopic study

Abstract

Cerebral cortical biopsies of 16 patients with clinical diagnosis of congenital malformations, Arnold-Chiari malformation and postmeningitis hydrocephalus were studied to establish mitochondrial morphopathological alterations. Cortical biopsies obtained in the surgical room were immediately processed by conventional technique for transmission electron microscopy. Three injured mitochondrial morphological patterns were found: Swollen clear mitochondria, swollen dense mitochondria, and dark degenerated mitochondria were frequently observed in hydrocephalic parenchyma. Swollen clear mitochondria exhibited low electron dense matrix, enlarged intracristal space and continuity of outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Swollen dense mitochondria showed high electron dense matrix and swollen fragmented cristae. Dense degenerated mitochondria displayed overall high electron density of matrix and mitochondrial membranes. Such injured mitochondrial pattern are mainly related with nerve cell death and considered markers of lethal nerve cell injury.