{"title":"Symptomatic infratentorial ependymal cyst arising from the medulla: a case report with review of literature","authors":"Julianna Cavallaro , Souvik Singha , Bhaskar Chakrabarti , Eswar Gopalakrishnan , Manju Harshan , Bidyut Kumar Pramanik , Amy McKeown , John A. Boockvar","doi":"10.1016/j.neuchi.2024.101553","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Ependymal cysts (EC) typically present supra-tentorially near the lateral ventricle, juxta ventricular, or temporoparietal regions. Previous cases have also identified infratentorial EC of the brainstem, cerebellum, and subarachnoid spaces. They are mostly asymptomatic. In this paper, we present the first-ever case of a symptomatic medullary ependymal cyst treated with surgery, along with a comprehensive review of the literature on EC of other parts of the brain stem.</p></div><div><h3>Case description</h3><p>This 51-year-old female presented with hearing loss, dizziness, diplopia, and ataxia. Radiographic imaging indicated the presence of a non-enhancing lesion in the medulla with a mass effect on the brainstem. Pathological examination confirmed its characterization as an ependymal cyst. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy for the fenestration of the medullary ependymal cyst under neuro-navigation, Intra-op ultrasound and intra-operative neuro-monitoring. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an ependymal cyst. At one month follow-up, her KPS is 90, ECOG PS 1, and her ataxia has improved with complete resolution of diplopia.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Due to their rarity and potential similarity to other cystic structures, EC may be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed resulting in mismanagement and surgical disaster. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding and awareness of their distinct characteristics are essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51141,"journal":{"name":"Neurochirurgie","volume":"70 4","pages":"Article 101553"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Neurochirurgie","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028377024000249","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Ependymal cysts (EC) typically present supra-tentorially near the lateral ventricle, juxta ventricular, or temporoparietal regions. Previous cases have also identified infratentorial EC of the brainstem, cerebellum, and subarachnoid spaces. They are mostly asymptomatic. In this paper, we present the first-ever case of a symptomatic medullary ependymal cyst treated with surgery, along with a comprehensive review of the literature on EC of other parts of the brain stem.
Case description
This 51-year-old female presented with hearing loss, dizziness, diplopia, and ataxia. Radiographic imaging indicated the presence of a non-enhancing lesion in the medulla with a mass effect on the brainstem. Pathological examination confirmed its characterization as an ependymal cyst. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy for the fenestration of the medullary ependymal cyst under neuro-navigation, Intra-op ultrasound and intra-operative neuro-monitoring. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an ependymal cyst. At one month follow-up, her KPS is 90, ECOG PS 1, and her ataxia has improved with complete resolution of diplopia.
Conclusion
Due to their rarity and potential similarity to other cystic structures, EC may be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed resulting in mismanagement and surgical disaster. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding and awareness of their distinct characteristics are essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
期刊介绍:
Neurochirurgie publishes articles on treatment, teaching and research, neurosurgery training and the professional aspects of our discipline, and also the history and progress of neurosurgery. It focuses on pathologies of the head, spine and central and peripheral nervous systems and their vascularization. All aspects of the specialty are dealt with: trauma, tumor, degenerative disease, infection, vascular pathology, and radiosurgery, and pediatrics. Transversal studies are also welcome: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurology, neuropediatrics, psychiatry, neuropsychology, physical medicine and neurologic rehabilitation, neuro-anesthesia, neurologic intensive care, neuroradiology, functional exploration, neuropathology, neuro-ophthalmology, otoneurology, maxillofacial surgery, neuro-endocrinology and spine surgery. Technical and methodological aspects are also taken onboard: diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, methods for assessing results, epidemiology, surgical, interventional and radiological techniques, simulations and pathophysiological hypotheses, and educational tools. The editorial board may refuse submissions that fail to meet the journal''s aims and scope; such studies will not be peer-reviewed, and the editor in chief will promptly inform the corresponding author, so as not to delay submission to a more suitable journal.
With a view to attracting an international audience of both readers and writers, Neurochirurgie especially welcomes articles in English, and gives priority to original studies. Other kinds of article - reviews, case reports, technical notes and meta-analyses - are equally published.
Every year, a special edition is dedicated to the topic selected by the French Society of Neurosurgery for its annual report.