Clear cell meningioma causing Castleman syndrome in a child

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Takashi Sato1, Takeshi Sugiyama, Tomoyuki Kawataki

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan. tsato@yamanashi.ac.jp

Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|June 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of Castleman syndrome in an 11-year-old boy was caused by a clear cell meningioma. Surgical removal of the brain tumor resolved symptoms, highlighting the need to consider intracranial tumors in unexplained systemic illnesses.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Castleman syndrome is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder.
  • Intracranial tumors can present with diverse systemic symptoms.
  • Fever of unknown origin requires comprehensive differential diagnosis.

Observation:

  • An 11-year-old boy presented with persistent fever of unknown origin and symptoms consistent with Castleman syndrome.
  • Laboratory findings revealed elevated inflammatory markers, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and C-reactive protein.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging identified a cerebellopontine angle tumor.

Findings:

  • Histological examination confirmed the tumor as a clear cell meningioma with lymphoplasma cell infiltration.
  • Neurosurgical intervention involved the presumptive diagnosis of Castleman syndrome secondary to an intracranial tumor.
  • Complete resolution of systemic symptoms and biochemical abnormalities was achieved post-surgical tumor resection.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare association between clear cell meningioma and Castleman syndrome.
  • Intracranial tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained fever, anemia, and hypergammaglobulinemia.
  • Early diagnosis and surgical management of such tumors can lead to favorable outcomes.

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