Craniopharyngioma and "reactive" subependymoma of the third ventricle--a case report

A 42-year-old woman with an 18-year history of suprasellar tumor, treated by repeated radiation therapy and surgery, was found to have both a craniopharyngioma and subependymoma of the third ventricle. The case is unique in that well documented subependymomas have not been reported in this location. Furthermore, only a few cases of subependymoma have been reported to be accompanied by a primary tumor of the central nervous system other than an ependymoma. Potential causative factors for this seemingly reactive subependymoma are briefly discussed.