Epstein-Barr virus-associated intracranial myopericytoma in a child: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Myopericytomas are benign soft tissue tumors which are rarely found as intracranial masses.

Methods: A review of SCOPUS and PubMed databases for case reports and case series was done for patients with intracranial myopericytomas. Data on demographics, clinical features, imaging, surgical management employed, and outcomes were collected.

Results: We found a total of 9 cases in the literature and we describe an additional case from our own experience. The mean age at presentation was 50.1 years (32-64 years), with a female predominance. Most tumors were in the posterior fossa and were multifocal in AIDS patients. The most common clinical manifestations were visual disturbances, headaches, and vomiting. An association with EBV was reported in two cases and was also found in our own case. Gross total excision and even subtotal excision were definitive therapies with no recurrences reported with a mean follow-up of 22.7 months. Our case is the first EBV-associated intracranial myopericytoma in a child.

Conclusion: Intracranial myopericytomas are rare; some have an association with EBV and immunodeficient states. Surgery is the only necessary treatment and outcomes are generally favorable for these benign neoplasms.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; Immunodeficiency; Myopericytoma.