Extraventricular neurocytomas are rare brain tumors that have a diverse range of clinical characteristics. We describe two cases involving fluorescence-guided resection of extraventricular neurocytoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and evaluate the efficacy of the technique. We found that the tumor reactions to 5-ALA differed depending on the histologic grade. This finding shows that the 5-ALA fluorescence reaction may potentially be used as a biomarker of the clinical behavior of these tumors. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which fluorescence-guided resection was utilized for the resection of extraventricular neurocytomas.
Brain Neoplasms ; Fluorescence* ; Neurocytoma*

Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; Neurocytoma ; pathology

Authors report two cases of central neurocytoma with unusual surgical pitfall. The one of these presented with postoperative intraventricular hemorrhage with hydrocephalus. The other case developed motor aphasia and hemiplegia due to brain retration during operation. We describe peripoerative courses of these cases and discuss possible causes of postoperative complications.
Aphasia, Broca ; Brain ; Hemiplegia ; Hemorrhage ; Hydrocephalus ; Neurocytoma ; Postoperative Complications

Central neurocytoma is a rare, well-differentiated neuronal tumor and is usually located in the lateral or third ventricle of young adults. Its overall prognosis is excellent with a low proliferative index. The majority of previously reported malignant variants rarely did recurred after tumor removal and regarded as benign tumor despite of histopathological malignant feature. Nevertheless, we experienced a case of malignant variant of the central neurocytoma with high proliferative index(Ki-67 labeling index >30%), which showed recurrence immediately after surgery and died within 3 months POD. Here, we describe the case with a review of the literatures.
Humans ; Neurocytoma* ; Neurons ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Third Ventricle ; Young Adult

Adult ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; pathology ; Male ; Neurocytoma ; pathology

Central neurocytoma, a cerebral intraventricular tumor, is usually benign. It frequently develops in the area of the foramen of Monro, and is usually attached to the septum pellucidum. Mild to moderate contrast enhancement is common. We encountered a case of central neurocytoma in a 60-year-old woman; the tumor arose from the atrium of the lateral ventricle, and extraventricular extension and malignant transformation were apparent. CT and MRI revealed a well-defined, slightly heterogeneous mass measuring 2.5x3x5cm with surrounding edema. There was strong contrast enhancement of the mass.
Cerebral Ventricles ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neurocytoma* ; Septum Pellucidum

Extra ventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare brain tumor with histologic features similar with a central neurocytoma, but located outside of the ventricular system. In this study, we present an unusual case of hypothalamic EVN in a 14-year-old patient. The patient underwent subtotal removal and had tumor relapse. The patient was then treated using intensity modulated radiation therapy, and the tumor remained stable for 24 months. This case report may be important in that this is the first pediatric case of EVN located in the hypothalamic region. EVN has similar radiologic features with pilocytic astrocytomas and therefore a hypothalamic EVN may be misdiagnosed as a hypothalamic glioma. Also, the pathologic-radiologic-clinical correlation of EVN located in the hypothalamic area may be different from that of EVNs originating from other usual sites.
Adolescent ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Glioma ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Neoplasms ; Neurocytoma* ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Recurrence

Extra ventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare brain tumor with histologic features similar with a central neurocytoma, but located outside of the ventricular system. In this study, we present an unusual case of hypothalamic EVN in a 14-year-old patient. The patient underwent subtotal removal and had tumor relapse. The patient was then treated using intensity modulated radiation therapy, and the tumor remained stable for 24 months. This case report may be important in that this is the first pediatric case of EVN located in the hypothalamic region. EVN has similar radiologic features with pilocytic astrocytomas and therefore a hypothalamic EVN may be misdiagnosed as a hypothalamic glioma. Also, the pathologic-radiologic-clinical correlation of EVN located in the hypothalamic area may be different from that of EVNs originating from other usual sites.
Adolescent ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Glioma ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Neoplasms ; Neurocytoma* ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Recurrence

The clinical and pathological features of five patients with intraventricular neurocytoma are reported. Distribution among men and women is equal. The patients' age at diagnosis ranged from 20 to 57 years. The lesions were located in the lateral and third ventricles. Raised intracranial pressure was the main cause of the clinical manifestations. An isodense mass with multiple intratumoral cysts and homogeneous contrast enhancement was the characteristic computerized tomographic finding. Cerebral angiography showed homogeneous vascular staining in four patients. Magnetic resonance images revealed a mass isointense with the cerebral cortex on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-diethylenetnaminepenta-acetic acid-enhanced images showed homogeneous enhancement. Total removal of the tumor was performed in five patients. Histologically, all tumors were composed of small uniform cells with perinuclear halo and regular round nuclei. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated strong positivity for neuron-specif ic enolase in all five cases and for synaptophysin in two cases.
Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Cortex ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Neurocytoma* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Synaptophysin ; Third Ventricle

The clinical and pathological features of five patients with intraventricular neurocytoma are reported. Distribution among men and women is equal. The patients' age at diagnosis ranged from 20 to 57 years. The lesions were located in the lateral and third ventricles. Raised intracranial pressure was the main cause of the clinical manifestations. An isodense mass with multiple intratumoral cysts and homogeneous contrast enhancement was the characteristic computerized tomographic finding. Cerebral angiography showed homogeneous vascular staining in four patients. Magnetic resonance images revealed a mass isointense with the cerebral cortex on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-diethylenetnaminepenta-acetic acid-enhanced images showed homogeneous enhancement. Total removal of the tumor was performed in five patients. Histologically, all tumors were composed of small uniform cells with perinuclear halo and regular round nuclei. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated strong positivity for neuron-specif ic enolase in all five cases and for synaptophysin in two cases.
Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Cortex ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Neurocytoma* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Synaptophysin ; Third Ventricle