Suprasellar giant cell ependymoma: a rare neoplasm in a unique location

Ependymomas are glial tumors that usually present in the posterior fossa in children and in the spinal cord in adults. Giant cell ependymoma, a rare ependymal subtype only recently recognized as a diagnostic entity in the last decade, demonstrates pleomorphic giant cells admixed with features of typical ependymoma. Although only 8 giant cell ependymomas have been reported to date, none have been reported in the suprasellar space. Moreover, as these neoplasms demonstrate a high incidence of anaplastic grade, recognition of this ependymal subtype is paramount. We describe the presentation and pertinent radiologic, histologic, immunologic, and ultrastructural findings in conjunction with relevant clinical implications of the first reported case of a suprasellar giant cell ependymoma occurring in a 34-year-old female 7 years after an initial diagnosis of a medullary ependymoma with rare atypical giant cells, a potential tumor seeding culprit.