Chordoid glioma is a rare low grade tumor typically located in the third ventricle. Although a chordoid glioma can arise from ventricle with tumor cells having features of ependymal differentiation, intraventricular dissemination has not been reported. Here we report a case of a patient with third ventricular chordoid glioma and intraventricular dissemination in the lateral and fourth ventricles. We described the perfusion MR imaging features of our case different from a previous report.
Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology/*secondary ; Fourth Ventricle/*pathology ; Glioma/diagnosis/*pathology ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles/*pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Third Ventricle/*pathology

Subependymoma is a rare, slow-growing, benign noninvasive tumor of the central nervous system that may be located in the fourth ventricle, the septum pellucidum, the third and the lateral ventricles, the aqueduct, and the proximal spinal cord. Symptoms, if any, usually result either from direct compression of the brain stem or from acute hydrocephalus due to occlusion of the foramen of Monro or aqueduct of Sylvius. In this report, we describe a case of subependymoma of the lateral ventricle with headache in a young female patient. This is the first reported case subependymoma in Korea that was documented along with Magnetic resonance image.
Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Female ; Glioma/*drug therapy/pathology ; Headache/complications ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lateral Ventricles ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male

BACKGROUNDCraniopharyngioma of the third ventricle is difficult to treat and its therapeutic regimens and operative approaches have been controversial. This study was undertaken to probe indications for microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle via an improved transventricular approach, its surgical procedures and therapeutic effects, and prevention of postoperative complications.

METHODSFifty-one patients with craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle were treated from January 2000 to October 2004 by an improved transventricular approach for removing the tumor via the interventricular foramen, the intermedius of the septum pellucidum or choroid fissure. Symptoms and signs of the patients, and results of imaging, operation, and follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 51 patients who had received the improved transventricular resection, 4 underwent a combined approach with an entrance of the pterion. Forty patients (78.43%) underwent total resection and others subtotal resection, without an operative death. Epileptic seizures were found in 3 patients (5.88%) and subdural effusion in the operative field in 4 (7.84%). All patients showed good general conditions after operation, and follow-up for an average of 27.52 months showed relapse of the tumour in 8 patients (15.69%).

CONCLUSIONSMicrosurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle by an improved transventricular approach has advantages of operative safety and efficacy, lower mortality and disability, and less complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniopharyngioma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Third Ventricle

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fourth Ventricle ; pathology ; Ganglioglioma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism

The authors retrospectively analyzed the angiographic findings performed in 17 cases with central neurocytoma to document the angiographic characteristics and suggested the origin of tumor based on the angiographic findings. Their medical records and radiological investigations were reviewed and cerebral angiographies were thoroughly examined in arterial, capillary, and venous phases. In ten cases, marked or moderate tumor staining was found whereas the staining was either scanty or absent in seven cases. In the ten cases showing marked or moderate tumor staining, the feeding vessels were originated from the ipsilateral carotid and/or vertebro-basilar system. In the venous phase, the ipsilateral thalamostriate vein, tortuous and enlarged, was elevated, and the internal cerebral vein was depressed. Thus, the venous angle of the ipsilateral side was widened at an irregular contour. Based on the characteristic displacement and the increased size of the associated venous system, it is suggested that the central neurocytoma might originate from a neuronal cell mass of the subependymal zone located on the floor of the lateral ventricle around the foramen of Monro rather than from the septum pellucidum.
Adult ; Angiography/*methods ; Carotid Arteries/pathology ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*pathology ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*pathology ; Female ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Neurocytoma/*diagnosis/*pathology ; Neurons/metabolism ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PmA).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic features in 3 cases of PmA were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD34 and Ki-67 was performed on paraffin-embedded sections by standard EnVision method.

RESULTSAll the 3 cases occurred in female patients at the age of 10 months, 10 years and 19 years respectively. Two cases were located in the third ventricle, while the remaining case was located at the optic pathway. Histologically, the tumor was composed of bipolar spindle cells setting in a strikingly mucinous background. There was a marked proliferation of vessels within the tumor. In some areas, the tumor cells exhibited an angiocentric growth pattern. The biphasic pattern noted in a classic pilocytic astrocytoma was not found in PmA. Rosenthal fibers and eosinophilic granular bodies were also not identified. Immunohistochemcal study showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for GFAP. The Ki-67 labeling index measured less than 1%. CD34 highlighted mainly the vascular networks.

CONCLUSIONSPmA is a distinctive variant of pilocytic astrocytoma with subtle histologic differences. Compared with conventional pilocytic astrocytoma, PmA behaves more aggressively. Some cases tend to occur in older children and adolescents. Immunohistochemical study for GFAP is helpful in differential diagnosis.

Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Astrocytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Optic Nerve Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Third Ventricle ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic method and analyze the result of microneurosurgical treatment for tumors of the fourth cerebral ventricle.

METHODSTumor of the fourth ventricle was clinically diagnosed in 86 patients basing on the preliminary assessment of symptom and CT or MRI findings. Of these 86 patients treated with micro-neurosurgery, the tumors in 62 were totally removed, subtotally in 19, and partially in 5. Forty-two patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThree patients died postoperatively within ten days, and symptoms in 83 were improved after treatment. The average survival period was over 3 years. The pathology included 32 medulloblastomas, 23 ependymoma, 15 astrocytoma, 10 hemangiblastomas, 2 choroid plexus papillomas, and 4 epidermoid cysts.

CONCLUSIONMedulloblastoma, astrocytoma and hemangiblastoma are suggested to be removed totally whenever technically possible according to the site, character and volume of the tumor. For ependymoma, if close to the brain stem, is recommended to be subtotally removed. Postoperative radiotherapy may be beneficial for malignant types.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Ependymoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fourth Ventricle ; pathology ; radiation effects ; surgery ; Hemangioblastoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Microsurgery ; methods ; mortality ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed