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Published on: February 21, 2018
Neurocytoma of the VIIIth cranial nerve: case report
Onder Onguru1, Ozlem Kurtkaya-Yapicier, Bernd W Scheithauer
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Objective And Importance:
Neurocytomas are uncommon tumors of the CNS. To date, none have been described in association with a cranial nerve. We described the clinicopathological features of an example arising in the cochlear-vestibular portion of the VIIIth nerve with extension into the cerebellopontine angle.
Clinical Presentation:
The patient, a 42-year-old female, presented approximately 6 months ago with several episodes of worsening dizziness. On magnetic resonance imaging studies, a 2-cm enhancing lesion occupying the left internal auditory canal and protruding into the cerebellopontine angle cistern was detected with signal characteristics suggestive of vestibular neuroma.
Intervention:
At surgery, the tumor was seen to originate from the cochlear-vestibular nerve bundle lying within the internal auditory canal, extended laterally to the level of the fundus and 4 mm medially into the cerebellopontine angle. No dural attachment was noted. With use of sharp dissection and bipolar cautery, portions of the tumor within the auditory canal were debulked.
Conclusion:
A unique example of a neurocytoma in association with a cranial nerve is documented. Possible explanations for the occurrence are explored. The topography of neurocytomas continues to expand.
