Xanthogranulomatous Colloid Cyst in a 13-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report and Surgical Implications

Colloid cysts are relatively uncommon lesions in the pediatric population. The xanthogranulomatous (XG) variant is very rare with less than 30 reported cases.

In this report, the patient was a 13-year-old boy who presented with transient episodes of headache with blurring of vision. His MRI brain showed a T2 hyperintense well-defined cystic lesion, with an eccentrically located T2 hypointense partially enhancing nodule, at the foramen of Monro. He underwent middle frontal gyrus transcortical, transchoroidal gross total excision of the cyst. The histopathology of the lesion revealed an XG colloid cyst. The patient recovered well from the procedure and was relieved of the symptoms.

XG colloid cyst may present with altered radiological features compared to the normal variant. This can pose a diagnostic dilemma, and it is important to differentiate it from a craniopharyngioma or a parasitic cyst, as in our case. When considered preoperatively, surgeons should be conscious to review their surgical strategies. Stereotactic aspiration of the XG cyst should be avoided as contents are thicker and heterogeneous than the usual. The spillage of cyst contents should be prevented. Also, the XG cysts are likely to have a poor cyst-fornix or -choroid plexus interface due to inflammation limiting complete resection.