2. Peripheral Nerve - Teased Fiber Preparation
In our patient's teased fiber preparation, we see only one
well-myelinated fiber. The remainder of the fibers contain "myelin
ovoids", which are products of myelin breakdown that are secondary to
axonal damage. Note: The teased fiber preparation is made by
attempting to actually "tease" apart individual nerve fibers from the
bundle, under the dissecting microscope. Osmium stains the myelin
black. Of what significance are the pathologic findings of
depopulation, vessel wall thickening, and myelin ovoids? What would
you expect to see in a nerve biopsy of someone with Guillain-Barre
syndrome? What is the pathophysiology of each condition?
Answer
