Central neurocytoma presenting with intratumoral hemorrhage

A 22-year-old woman presented with acute onset of headache and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hydrocephalus and a huge midline mass with heterogeneous density involving both lateral ventricles. A small amount of hematoma was detected at the bottom of the left trigone. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the mass appeared grossly isointense on T1-weighted images and slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images with a clearly demarcated low intensity area at its center. These CT and MRI findings were suggestive of an acute hemorrhagic event within the tumor. The presence of hemorrhage was confirmed at surgery. Sudden hemorrhages within the tumor were considered to cause the acute onset of symptoms. Although central neurocytoma is not commonly known as a tumor-producing intracranial hemorrhage or to cause abrupt clinical deterioration, we found five similar cases in the literature. After reviewing these cases, we concluded that the information on the possible hemorrhagic complication of central neurocytoma is important for correct diagnosis and thus for proper management of this tumor.