Electron microscopy of polyps of the colon. II. Inclusion bodies of Leuchtenberger.

The electron-microscopic characteristics of the LEUCHTENBERGER'S inclusion bodies were studied in adenomatous, papillary and adeno-papillary polyps of the colon. According to them, formation of intracellular inclusions is due to focal cytoplasmic degradation, and that of intercellular inclusions to the herniation of the cytoplasmic part of epithelial cells. The formation of inclusions is believed to be connected with the low stage of development of the plasma membrane of rapidly proliferating undifferentiated colonic epithelial cells. During malignant transformation of polyps, the frequently occurring inclusions are considered an important morphological sign.