Transient mutism has ben known as a rare complication following a posterior fossa approach to cerebellar tumors, although its pathophysiology remains unclear. Cerebellar mutism may be defined as a transient mutism occurring after a posterior fossa tumor approach in children with unimpaired consciousness, unimpaired symbolic functions, no detectable deficit of cranial nerves or peripheral organs of speech, and no lesions of long pathways in the course of the cranial nerves at the level of the brain stem. Forty two cases in children, and only two cases in adults have been found in the literature. We report a case of transient mutism with oropharyngeal apraxia after total excision of 4th ventricle choroids plexus papilloma in a 6-year-old girl. Postoperatively, the patient became mute and refused food intake without disturbance of consciousness, or lower cranial nerve function. Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance image(MRI) demonstrated no abnormal findings except the surgical lesion in the posterior fossa. The mutism lasted for 3 weeks, but she gradually became fluent. The mechanism of "cerebellar mutism" is briefly discussed with literature review.
Adult ; Apraxias ; Brain Stem ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; Child* ; Choroid Plexus* ; Choroid* ; Consciousness ; Cranial Nerves ; Eating ; Female* ; Humans ; Infratentorial Neoplasms ; Mutism* ; Papilloma ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus*

Focal ventricular dilatation of the temporal horn caused by an occlusion of the cerebrospinal fluid pathway at the atrium of the lateral ventricle is a form of non communicating hydrocephalus, and this condition is termed as "entrapment of the temporal horn". The choroid plexus is important central nervous system(CNS) structure, but it is often neglected in pathologic and clinical studies of intracranial diseases. Even though choroid plexitis is very rare, it may be occurred as the resultant of CNS infections and primary choroid plexitis can be associated with bacterial, viral, and parasitic etiologies. Some aspects of the neuroimaging findings of this infection mimick those of a intraventricular neoplasms. The most important neoplasms which should be differentiated, are choroid plexus papilloma and carcinoma. Wherem primary neoplasms of the choroid plexus are well known, but primary infections of the choroid plexus (such as choroid plexitis) are not commonly encountered. Pseudomonas stutzeri infections are especially rare as the causative organism of the choroid plexitis and often have serious underlying disease but generally respond well to treatment with antibiotics. We report a 65-year-old female patient with primary choroid plexitis due to Pseudomonas stutzeri and the findings of her brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In conclusion, our case revealed that choroid plexitis may result in ventricular entrapment and mimick intraventricular tumors. Although it is very rare, when a intraventricular mass was observed in imaging studies and combined with signs and symptoms suggesting CNS infection, choroid plexitis should be considered.
Aged ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Brain ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Choroid Plexus ; Choroid* ; Dilatation ; Female ; Horns* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Lateral Ventricles* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus ; Pseudomonas stutzeri* ; Pseudomonas*

Choroid plexus papilloma(CPP) is a rare intraventricular neoplasm occurring primarily in the lateral ventricle of children and the 4th ventricle of adults. The 3rd ventricle is an extremely rare site for CPP to occur. The authors report two cases of CPP of the 3rd ventricle in a 2-month-old girl and a 4-month-old boy, and one case of CPP of the 4th ventricle in a 17-year-old male. Two CPP of third ventricle were totally removed by transcortical-transventricular approach and transcallosal subchoroidal approach, respectively. The CPP in the fourth ventricle was totally removed by suboccipital approach. The subdural hygroma and hydrocephalus due to CSF overproduction was managed with subduroperitoneal shunt and ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; Child ; Choroid Plexus* ; Choroid* ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus* ; Subdural Effusion ; Third Ventricle ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Neurocytoma, a rare brain tumor, is characterized by a mass located mainly in cerebral ventricles. It is prone to be misdiagnosed as oligodendroglioma or ependymoma due to their similar histopathological features in clinical practice. This study aimed to examine the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of central and extraventricular neurocytoma. The clinical and histopathological data of 17 patients (male: female=7:10; age: 4-41 years; mean age: 27.4 years) with central or extraventricular neurocytoma were retrospectively analyzed. These patients showed typical radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of neurocytoma. The tumor tissue was found to be composed of small uniform cells with round nuclei and clear cytoplasm resembling that of oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed the tumor tissues were positive for neuronal markers such as synaptophysin (SYN) and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN). It was concluded histopathological features of neurocytoma overlaps with some tumors in the central neural system. Immunopositivity for SYN and NeuN can help differentially diagnose neurocytoma.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, Nuclear ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; Brain Stem ; pathology ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurocytoma ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Choroid Plexus papilloma is a rare intracranial neoplasm that is most commonly found in the trigone of the lateral ventricle in children or in the fourth ventricle in adult. Extraventricular extension of choroid plexus papilloma has been rarely reported within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern. Authors report two cases of choroid plexus papilloma in the posterior fossa seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI findings of two cases of choroid plexus papilloma in posterior fossa were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the first case, the tumor was in the fourth ventricle and extended to the left CPA cistern via the foramen of Luschka. In the second case, the tumor presented as an expansile mass of the of fourth ventricle and right lateral recess. Multiple signal voids of low intensity due to prominent feeding vessels and calcifications within the tumors were noted. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates MR findings of choroid plexus papilloma in the posterior fossa with the brief review of the literatures.
Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Child ; Choroid Plexus* ; Choroid* ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus* ; Retrospective Studies

Choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), a frankly malignant epithelial neoplasm derived from choroid plexus epithelium, is a rare tumor with a predilection for infants and children. It may be difficult to histologically differentiate it from choroid plexus papilloma, anaplastic ependymoma, medulloblastoma, germ cell tumors, and metastatic carcinoma. We examined two cases of CPC. One is a 12-month-old boy, and the other is a 13-month-old boy. Both patients present lateral ventricular masses with extensive hydrocephalus. Histologically, both tumors show papillary growth in most area, and focal solid growth. The tumor cells show marked nuclear pleomorphism and frequent mitoses on squash and hematoxylin-eosin slides. Immunohistochemically, both tumors are positive for cytokeratin, vimentin, and S-100 protein; but they are negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein, -fetoprotein, and placental alkaline phosphatase. Both tumors show diffuse and strong positivity for p53. The MIB-1 labelling index is 23.6% and 15.82%, respectively. We report two cases of typical CPC, and we briefly discuss differential diagnosis with review of literatures.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Brain ; Carcinoma ; Child ; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms ; Choroid Plexus* ; Choroid* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ependymoma ; Epithelium ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Keratins ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; Mitosis ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus ; S100 Proteins ; Vimentin

Tumors of the central nervous system are the second most frequent neoplasm in children. In a review of 43 children with brain tumor under the age of 16 evaluated at a pediatric and neurosurgical department at Severance Hospital Yonsei University during a 61/2 year period, following results were obtained. 1. All 43 cases were diagnosed by pathological examination as well as brain CT scan. The sex ratio of male and female was equal. The age distribution was highest between 13-14 year of age and 7% of them were under 1 year of age. 2. There was a small preponderance of infratentorial tumors (51%) over supratentoral tumors (49%). 3. Among 43 verified brain tumors by pathological examination, glioma represented 75%, of which astrocytoma was the commonest neoplasm being 19 cases (45%) and remainder were medulloblastoma 10 cases (23%), choroid plexus droglioma 2 cases (5%), ependymoma 1case (2%). The rest were craniopharyngioma 6 cases (14%), choroid plexus papilloma 1 case (2%), neuroblastoma 2 cases (5%), pineal teratoma 1 case (2%), melanotic neuroectodermal turmor 1 case (2%). 4. The most common symptom was headache occuring 63% of the patients followed by vomiting, motor weakness, visual disturbance, gait distrubance, mental disturbance and seizure in order of trequency. Neurological signs showed positive Babinski sign, papilledema, cerebellar sign, 6th nerve palsy and facial weakness. 5. Plain skull X-ray changes were noted in 26 out of the 43 cases (61%). Those were suture separation of skull noted 35% of tumors followed in frequency by increased digital marking, sella changes and calcification. 6. In brain CT scan studies, the most common abnormal finding was solid mass shadow followed by cystic mass shadow, solid and cystic mass shadow. After contrast infusion, diffuse enhancement was the most common features. 7. 27 cases were treated by operation only, 15 by operation and radiotherapy, 1 by operation, radiation and chemotherapy. 8. Progonsis of brain tumor was very poor. 5 of 43 cases died within 1 month of diagnosis, 1 year survival rate was 19%, and 2 year survival rate was 16%. The survival rate was better in the group of patients in whom total or subtotal resection combined with radiotherapy was performed. 53% of cases were not able to follow-up or discharged anainst advice without proper treatment.
Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Age Distribution ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Central Nervous System ; Child* ; Choroid Plexus ; Craniopharyngioma ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Ependymoma ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Glioma ; Headache ; Humans ; Infratentorial Neoplasms ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; Neural Plate ; Neuroblastoma ; Papilledema ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus ; Radiotherapy ; Reflex, Babinski ; Seizures ; Sex Ratio ; Skull ; Survival Rate ; Sutures ; Teratoma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting

Intrathird ventricular tumors that mainly occupy the ventricle cavity without extending to the neighbouring structures are rare. These tumors are developed from the choroids plexus, tela, ependyma, subjacent neuroglia and embryonic cell rest. The authors experienced 11 cases of rare intrathird ventricular tumors during the past 10 years. During the same period, number of surgically proven brain tumors were 990 and intrathird ventricular tumors comprised 1.1%. These are two cases of choroids plexus papillomas, three craniopharyngiomas, two germ cell tumors, one meningioma, one glioependymal cyst, one ependymoma, one astrocytoma. Suprasellar craniopharyngiomas, thalamic gliomas, optic and hypothalamic gliomas were excluded. The age distribution was from 6 years old to 59 years old. The clinical manifestation was characteristic in that they usually had the sudden intermittent headache without specific localizing signs. Surgical approach to this area is by transcallosal or transcortical approach. Surgical total removal was quite feasible by either approach and outcome was rather favorable.
Age Distribution ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Child ; Choroid ; Craniopharyngioma ; Ependyma ; Ependymoma ; Glioma ; Headache ; Humans ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Neuroglia ; Optic Nerve Glioma ; Papilloma ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus

Intrathird ventricular tumors that mainly occupy the ventricle cavity without extending to the neighbouring structures are rare. These tumors are developed from the choroids plexus, tela, ependyma, subjacent neuroglia and embryonic cell rest. The authors experienced 11 cases of rare intrathird ventricular tumors during the past 10 years. During the same period, number of surgically proven brain tumors were 990 and intrathird ventricular tumors comprised 1.1%. These are two cases of choroids plexus papillomas, three craniopharyngiomas, two germ cell tumors, one meningioma, one glioependymal cyst, one ependymoma, one astrocytoma. Suprasellar craniopharyngiomas, thalamic gliomas, optic and hypothalamic gliomas were excluded. The age distribution was from 6 years old to 59 years old. The clinical manifestation was characteristic in that they usually had the sudden intermittent headache without specific localizing signs. Surgical approach to this area is by transcallosal or transcortical approach. Surgical total removal was quite feasible by either approach and outcome was rather favorable.
Age Distribution ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Child ; Choroid ; Craniopharyngioma ; Ependyma ; Ependymoma ; Glioma ; Headache ; Humans ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Neuroglia ; Optic Nerve Glioma ; Papilloma ; Papilloma, Choroid Plexus

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of brain tumors in children according to their location, the parental delay and the doctor's delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of a pediatric brain tumor. In addition, this study compared the relationship between the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval and the tumor location. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of 45 children with primary brain tumors admitted to Inha Hospital from July, 1986 to June, 2004. A diagnosis of the tumor location was made using brain MRI. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1:0.67. The median age at diagnosis was 6.0 years in supratentorial tumors, 7.0 years in infratentorial tumors. Twenty four cases(53.3 percent) were located in the supratentorial area, 21 cases(46.6 percent) were located in the infratentorial area. The distribution of supratentorial tumors were 14(58.3 percent) in the cerebral hemisphere and temporal lobe, seven (29.1 percent) in the suprasellar area, and three(12.5 percent) in the pineal gland and posterial lateral ventricle. The distributions of the infratentorial tumors were 12(57.1 percent) in the cerebellar vermis and fourth ventricle, four(19.1 percent) in the brain stem, and five(23.8 percent) in the cerebellar hemisphere. The most common initial symptom was seizure(37.5 percent) in the supratentorial tumor and headache(38.0 percent) in infratentorial tumors. The median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) was 21 days(range 0-240 days). The median PSI with a parental delay in supratentorial tumor was six days(range 1-240 days), and 30 days(range 1-40 days) in the infratentorial tumor. We immediately diagnosed most cases after visiting the hospital. There was no significant relationship between the tumor location and the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval. CONCLUSION: The most common symptom of supratentorial tumors and infratentorial tumors was seizure and headache, respectively. Although, the median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval was shorter than in previous studies, a detailed medical history and a correctly interpreted neurological examination should lead to an earlier diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Cerebrum ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Headache ; Humans ; Infratentorial Neoplasms ; Lateral Ventricles ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Examination ; Parents ; Pineal Gland ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; Temporal Lobe