A case of tanycytic ependymoma arising from the cerebral hemisphere

Brain Tumor Pathol. 2006 Oct;23(2):91-5. doi: 10.1007/s10014-006-0208-7.

Abstract

We report a rare case of tanycytic ependymoma arising from the cerebral hemisphere. A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the incidental detection by MRI of a tumor lesion in the right temporooccipital paratrigonal region. The mass showed low-to iso-intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2/proton-weighted images. Partial resection was performed using a transsulcal approach to avoid compromising the visual field. Most of the tumor cells showed elongated spindle shapes arranged in dense fascicles. A few true ependymal rosettes and perivascular pseudorosettes were visible. The tumor cells were positive for GFAP, S-100, and vimentin, but negative for synaptophysin, EMA, and keratin. The MIB-1 labeling index was approximately 1%. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells had ependymal cell features, such as microvilli and cilia. From these findings, a pathological diagnosis of tanycytic ependymoma was made.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / pathology
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Ependymoma / pathology*
  • Ependymoma / surgery
  • Ependymoma / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thallium
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Thallium