Multinodular and Vacuolating Neuronal Tumor: A Rare Seizure-associated Entity

Am J Surg Pathol. 2017 Jul;41(7):1005-1010. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000868.

Abstract

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor is a recently described seizure-associated entity with overlapping features of a malformative and neoplastic process. We report a case of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor in a 29-year-old man with a history of recent headaches and complex partial seizures. Neuroimaging revealed a nonenhancing, T2 and T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintense multinodular lesion in the right temporal lobe. Lesional tissue demonstrated well-demarcated nodules of ganglioid cells with vacuolation of both the perikarya and the fibrillary neuropil-like background. The ganglioid cells showed weak cytoplasmic reactivity for synaptophysin and were nonreactive for neurofilament and chromogranin. CD34-positive stellate cells were present within the nodules. A 50-gene next-generation sequencing panel did not identify any somatic mutations in genomic DNA extracted from the tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Seizures / etiology*
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology*