Ultrastructure of multinuclear giant cells of a human vocal cord Teflon granuloma.

The ultrastructural characteristics of multinuclear foreign-body giant cells (MCG) in a human vocal cord Teflon granuloma are described. The cells were found to contain varying numbers of Teflon particles within their cytoplasm. The particles, rounded or oval in shape, were surrounded by a rather electron-dense membrane. Numerous lysosomal structures were discerned within the cells. The fine structure of MCG in granulomas induced by foreign materials other than Teflon has already been described in man as well as in several experimental animals, and the Teflon MCG resembled these cells in many respects. No evidence of malignant change was found.