salt-and-pepper chromatin salt-and-pepper chromatin in pathology, salt-and-pepper chromatin, also salt-and-pepper nuclei and stippled chromatin, refers to cell nuclei that demonstrate granular chromatin (on light microscopy). well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor with salt-and-pepper chromatin, seen on h&e stain and pap stain, and actual salt and pepper for comparison. salt-and-pepper chromatin is typically seen in endocrine tumours such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours and pheochromocytoma. additional images neuroendocrine tumour of the lung with salt-and-pepper chromatin. h&e stain. neuroendocrine tumour of the small intestine with salt-and-pepper chromatin. h&e stain. a pheochromocytoma showing finely granular chromatin. h&e stain. salt-and-pepper chromatin (pheochromocytoma). h&e stain.