Suprasellar Mature Cystic Teratoma: An Unusual Location for an Uncommon Tumor

Intracranial germ cell tumors are uncommon and account for only 0.3–3.4% of all intracranial tumors. Teratomas are a subset of these neoplasms, and their finding in brain structures is exceptionally rare, and occurrence within the skull base is quite novel. The authors report the case of a 57-year-o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Raed B. Sweiss, Faris Shweikeh, Fadi B. Sweiss, Stephanie Zyck, Lauren Dalvin, Javed Siddiqi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/180497
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Summary:Intracranial germ cell tumors are uncommon and account for only 0.3–3.4% of all intracranial tumors. Teratomas are a subset of these neoplasms, and their finding in brain structures is exceptionally rare, and occurrence within the skull base is quite novel. The authors report the case of a 57-year-old male patient who presented with vision changes, incontinence, ataxia, and altered mental status of 1 week’s duration. Imaging revealed a large intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension, involvement of the ventricular system, and marked hydrocephalus with the enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles. The patient underwent a pterional craniotomy/transsylvian approach for resection of the mass. Postoperative histological examination of the resected mass was confirmatory for a mature cystic teratoma. This was followed by radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and adjuvant radiotherapy. At the most recent followup, approximately 4 years later, the patient is doing well with improved vision since the operation. This report highlights our experience with a teratoma in a very unusual location, and we review the relevant literature.
ISSN:2090-6668
2090-6676