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

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

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

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

Central neurocytomas (CNs), initially asymptomatic, sometimes become huge before detection. We described and analyzed the clinical, radiological, operational and outcome data of 13 cases of huge intraventricular CNs, and discussed the treatment strategies in this study. All huge CNs (n=13) in our study were located in bilateral lateral ventricle with diameter ≥5.0 cm and had a broad-based attachment to at least one side of the ventricle wall. All patients received craniotomy to remove the tumor through transcallosal or transcortical approach and CNs were of typical histologic and immunohistochemical features. Adjuvant therapies including conventional radiation therapy (RT) or gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) were also performed postoperatively. Transcallosal and transcortical approaches were used in 8 and 5 patients, respectively. Two patients died within one month after operation and 3 patients with gross total resection (GTR) were additionally given a decompressive craniectomy (DC) and/or ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) as the salvage therapy. Six patients received GTR(+RT) and 7 patients received subtotal resection (STR)(+GKRS). Eight patients suffered serious complications such as hydrocephalus, paralysis and seizure after operation, and patients who underwent GTR showed worse functional outcome [less Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) scores] than those having STR(+GKRS) during the follow-up period. The clinical outcome of huge CNs seemed not to be favorable as that described in previous reports. Surgical resection for huge CNs should be meticulously considered to guarantee the maximum safety. Better results were achieved in STR(+GKRS) compared with GTR(+RT) for huge CNs, suggesting that STR(+GKRS) may be a better treatment choice. The recurrent or residual tumor can be treated with GKRS effectively.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Neurocytoma ; therapy ; Radiotherapy ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Neurocytoma ; surgery ; Radiosurgery

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