[Intracranial cholesterol granulomas].

In the development of a cholesterol granuloma both cellular and vascular permeability factors have to be taken into consideration. It may arise as a special degradation product in a chronic cerebral infarct because of the partial insufficient activity of the macrophages. Consequently, the degradation of brain sphingolipids and other compounds does not follow the usual route of degradation and transportation by granular cells to the stage of neutral fat but the necrotic mass transforms into cholesterol esters.