Supratentorial extra-axial anaplastic ependymoma: a rare case report

Ependymomas are central nervous system tumors arising from the ependymal lining of the ventricle and spinal cord. Supratentorial extra-axial ependymomas are very rare, most commonly affecting the pediatric population and rarely in adults.

The authors report a case of a 71-year-old female with a headache and blurred vision. An MRI scan revealed a lesion at the parafalcine region of the occipital lobe. A parieto-occipital craniotomy was performed. When the dura was opened during the operation, the extra-axially located, well-circumscribed, dirty yellow-white tumor dissected from the surrounding tissue was excised entirely by microdissection. Histopathological examination revealed supratentorial extra-axial anaplastic ependymoma. The patient received postoperative radiation therapy (54 Gray over 30 fractions). No recurrence of the tumor was observed during the 4-year follow-up.

Supratentorial ependymomas at the extra-axial region are uncommon; extra-axial anaplastic ependymoma and meningiomas have similar radiological findings, such as a dural tail, subarachnoid plane, and diffuse enhancement after contrast injection. This close similarity might cause misdiagnoses. Total surgical resection was followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and close follow-up in the gold standard of the treatment.

The authors report a rare case of anaplastic ependymomas located at the extra-axial region. Anaplastic tumors are prone to recurrence despite total resection and radiation therapy; hence, a close follow-up is warranted.