Hyaline Globules

Hyaline globules

Hyaline globules are eosinophilic round/globular structures which vary in size from 5-20 microns in diameter. These are nonspecific morphologic entities which are found in the variety of lesions ranging from normal to non neoplastic to neoplastic lesions.. They can be intracellular or extracellular.

Some of the intracellular hyaline globules are referred to as thanatosomes. It is postulated that these hyaline globules represent a form of irreversible cell injury, which, in majority of cases related to apoptosis.

Though hyaline globules are nospecific, they can be very useful clues in differentiating various lesions. They can be of diagnostic importance particularly when evaluating metastatic lesions.

Here are the list of hyaline globules In various lesions

Hyaline globules in non neoplastic lesions
1. Alpha 1 antitrypsin liver disease
2. Cryoglobulinemic Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (presence of refractile eosinophilic hyaline globules In the capillary lumen. These are also called as hyaline thrombi, represent cryoglobulin deposits)

Hyaline globules In benign tumors
1. Meningioma
2. Pleomorphic adenoma
3. Ovarial fibroma
4. Renal oncocytoma
5. Ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor
6. Papillary hemangioma
7. Mammary myofibroblastoma

Hyaline globules in malignant tumors
1. Yolk sac tumor
2. Hepatocellular carcinoma
3. Pan NET
4. Kaposi sarcoma
5. Choroid plexus carcinoma
6. Adenoid cystic carcinoma
7. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
8. Adrenal cortical carcinoma
9. Malignant mixed mullerian tumor
10. Synovial sarcoma
11. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
12. Hyalinizing papillary carcinoma

Please note that the above list is incomplete. There could be many more lesions which can show hyaline globules. If you come across any more lesions add them in the comment section below.