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A Huge Calcified Supratentorial Ependymoma: A Case Report
Kivanc Yangi1, Ahmed Yasin Yavuz1, Gokhan Percinoglu1
1Neurological Surgery, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Istanbul, TUR.
Cureus
|April 17, 2023
Summary
This case highlights a rare supratentorial ependymoma in a child, previously classified as tanycytic ependymoma. Accurate neuropathologic diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and prognosis of these challenging pineal region tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pathology
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
Background:
- Tanycytic ependymoma, previously WHO Grade II, is no longer a distinct subtype per the 2021 WHO CNS tumor classification.
- Supratentorial ependymomas can present atypically, mimicking other tumors radiologically and pathologically.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl presented with gait disturbance and balance impairment.
- MRI revealed a large, midline-crossing pineal region mass.
- Initial diagnosis was a pineal region tumor, but pathology confirmed tanycytic ependymoma.
Findings:
- Gross-total resection achieved with significant postoperative improvement in gait and balance.
- No recurrence observed at 3 and 6-month follow-ups.
- Demonstrates supratentorial ependymomas occurring in the pineal region.
Implications:
- Accurate neuropathologic diagnosis is essential for differentiating these tumors from mimics like meningiomas or medulloblastomas.
- Correct diagnosis guides appropriate treatment modalities and impacts patient prognosis.
- Highlights the importance of considering ependymomas in the differential diagnosis of pediatric pineal region masses.
Keywords:
pineal regionpineal region tumorsupra-tentorial tumorsupratentorial ependymomatanycytic ependymoma
