Ultrastructure of trichoepithelioma papulosum multiplex.

The following features of trichoepithelioma papulosum multiplex (TPM) were revealed by electron microscopy: 1. Proliferation of basaloid cells similar to that in basal cell epithelioma (BCE). 2. Abortive hair shafts and hair papillae. 3. Keratinous cysts surrounded by flat keratinocytes, the cytoplasm of which had small-sized keratohyalin and Odland's bodies. 4. Glycogen deposition near the nuclei, vacuoles filled with amorphous materials and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. 5. Extracellular compartments, in which fibrous materials, cell fragments, and mucinous substance were found. 6. Melanocytes containing melanosomes in stage II, Langerhans cells involving Birbeck's granules, Merkel cells and other dendritic cells.