balloon cell

Balloon cells are similar in structure to giant cells in the disorder tuberous sclerosis complex.

It is widely hypothesized that balloon cells and dysplastic neurons contribute to seizures in patients with cortical dysplasia.

The enlarged cells are called balloon cells for their large elliptical shape, displaced nucleus, and lack of dendrites or axons.

The developmental origin of balloon cells is unknown although they are believed to be derived from neuronal or glial progenitor cells.

Also, ballooned cells have (small) pyknotic nuclei or nuclei that are undergoing karyorrhexis, i.e. in the process of disintegrating.

Ballooned cells are typically two to three times the size of adjacent hepatocytes and are characterized by a wispy cleared cytoplasm on H&E stained sections.

Balloon cell nevi are a cutaneous condition characterized histologically by large, pale, polyhedral balloon cells.

They can be differentiated from adipocyte-like cells by their cytoplasm and nucleus; ballooned cells have their nucleus in the centre (unlike adipocyte-like cells which have it peripherally).

PiD was first recognized as a distinct disease separate from other neurodegenerative diseases because of the presence of large, dark-staining aggregates of proteins in neurological tissue as well as the aforementioned ballooned cells, which are known as Pick cells.