Corpus Callosum Swelling after Resection of Intraventricular Central Neurocytoma

NMC Case Rep J. 2021 Sep 29;8(1):535-543. doi: 10.2176/nmccrj.cr.2020-0369. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Corpus callosum swelling has been reported to occur after ventriculoperitoneal shunting for long-standing hydrocephalus. This report presents a case of corpus callosum swelling after intraventricular tumor resection. A 34-year-old woman presented with a headache that worsened over 1 month. Magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed a mass lesion in the left lateral ventricle and obstructive hydrocephalus. She underwent subtotal resection with a transcallosal approach. After tumor resection, she had long-lasting status epilepticus followed by consciousness disturbance. T2-weighted MR images obtained 8 hr after the operation showed a hyperintense area in the corpus callosum. The patient then presented with bilateral dilated pupils 14 hr after the operation due to acute hydrocephalus and tension pneumocephalus. An emergent re-craniotomy was performed and a ventricular drain was placed. The patient recovered consciousness 3 days after the operation. However, she experienced progressive corpus callosum swelling 25 days after the operation, which improved since then. Approximately 4 months after the operation, she returned to her usual workplace with no neurocognitive functional decline. Two years later, she was doing well with no radiological abnormal findings except corpus callosum thinning. Thus, corpus callosum swelling can develop not only after shunting for chronic hydrocephalus but also after intraventricular tumor resection. It occurred relatively acutely and there was no decline in intelligence after long-term follow-up. This case suggests that corpus callosum swelling after intraventricular tumor resection is a rare but noteworthy complication that can improve without intervention.

Keywords: central neurocytoma; corpus callosum; long-term outcomes; swelling; tumor resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports