Schiller-Duval body (histology)

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 27 Jul 2022

Schiller-Duval body is a perivascular structure that can be found in 50% of testicular yolk sac tumors also known as endodermal sinus tumors. If present it is considered pathognomonic. 

Pathology

A central vessel is surrounded by tumor cells, and the cell-vessel complex is contained in a cystic space, often lined by flattened tumor cells. It represents an attempt to form yolk sacs. The cell-vessel complex is said to resemble a glomerulus.

Immunofluorescent staining may reveal eosinophilic hyalin-like globules both inside and outside the cytoplasm. The globules contain contain AFP and alpha 1-antitrypsin.

History and etymology

It is named after Mathias-Marie Duval (1844-1907), French professor of anatomy and histology, and Walter Schiller (1887-1960), Austrian-born American pathologist.

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