Epithelial cysts of the central nervous system: report of two cases

Two cases of epithelial cyst are reported. Case 1. A 68-year-old female visited our hospital with a complaint of decreased visual acuity, 0.04 in the left eye, in September 1986. Visual field examination showed bitemporal hemianopsia. CT scan demonstrated nonenhancing cystic lesion involving the suprasellar region. By a right frontotemporal craniotomy, the suprasellar cyst was explored. The wall of the cyst was partially removed to relieve pressure against both optic nerves and chiasma. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined with a single layer of non-ciliated cuboidal epithelium. Electron microscopic study revealed a number of microvilli, continuous basement membrane and desmosomes. Case 2. A 40-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of sensory disturbance in the left hand for several years. She had an episode of convulsive seizure with a loss of consciousness. Neurological examination revealed hypesthesia of the left hand. CT scan showed non-enhancing right frontoparietal cystic lesion compressing the right lateral ventricle to the left. By a right frontoparietal craniotomy, the cystic lesion was explored. The cyst existed beneath an arachnoid membrane and contained CSF-like clear fluid. The cyst wall was resected, as far as possible, to obtain communication with normal subarachnoid CSF space. Histologically, by light and electron microscopic study, the cyst was considered to be an epithelial cyst. A correct diagnosis is difficult because other cystic lesions such as arachnoid cysts and craniopharyngioma are of similar low density and appear the same on CT scan. It is impossible to diagnose such an epithelial cyst by relying on neuroradiological study alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cystic falx meningioma: report of a case with difficulty in radiologic diagnosis]

A case of cystic falx meningioma in the frontal region in which preoperative neuroradiologic diagnosis was difficult is reported. This 33-year-old man had suffered from epileptic seizures three times in one month. Physical and neurological examinations on admission were normal. A cystic mass with a small nodule was found on CT in the frontal region. Thin wall was enhanced smoothly and the nodule attached to the falx was enhanced heterogeneously. The mass was considered to be an extra-axial lesion on MRI. The right anterior falcine artery seemed to feed the mass. Bifrontal craniotomy was performed. Cyst was evacuated, and a soft reddish mass was subtotally removed. Cyst fluid was yellowish and protein content was 3.5 g/dl. Histopathological diagnosis was a meningotheliomatous meningioma and tumor cells were present also in the thin cyst wall. At the second operation the mass was completely removed, cyst wall inclusive. When we encounter a cystic mass in the sites of predilection of meningiomas, we have to consider the possibility of a cystic meningioma. If the mass has meningeal vascularization, a correct diagnosis is not difficult. Taking the location of the mass into consideration, an accurate interpretation of CT and MRI findings indicating extra-axial nature of the mass is indispensable.     

Rathke's cleft cyst--report of three cases

Three cases of symptomatic Rathkes' cleft cyst are described. Case 1. A 51-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of intermittent headache, in April, 1985. He was neurologically free, but skull films disclosed a ballooning of the sella with thinning of the dorsum sellae. CT scan showed enlargement of the sella, but no abnormal density area in the sellar region. MRI revealed a round mass with high signal intensity located just posteriorly to the pituitary body. By a transsphenoidal approach, a thin-walled cyst was found at the posterior portion of the sella. Turbid mucinous fluid and the capsule of the cyst were subtotally removed. Histologic section of the specimen demonstrated that its wall was composed of a loose fibrous tissue lined by a single layer of ciliated cuboidal epithelium containing some goblet cells. Electron microscopy showed ciliated cuboidal cells, cells with microvilli, cells with light and large granules, and basal cells abutting on the basal lamina. Case 2. A 33-year-old female was referred to the hospital with complaints of severe headache and decreased visual acuity 0.02 in the left and 0.1 in the right, in July, 1985. Visual field examination revealed bitemporal hemianopsia. She had amenorrhea, galactorrhea and polyuria. CT scan and metrizamide CT cisternography detected a low density mass in the suprasellar region. Endocrinological studies disclosed hyperprolactinemia with partial hypopituitarism. She had a right frontal craniotomy and a suprasellar cyst was subtotally removed. Histologically, a cystic wall was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium supported by a loose fibrous tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interhemispheric arachnoid cyst; report of three cases]

Three operated cases of the interhemispheric arachnoid cyst were reported. Case 1: a 58-year-old female suffering from progressive right hemi-rigidity and gait disturbance for the past two years. Case 2: a 66-year-old female was admitted with chronic headache. MRI demonstrated a large interhemispheric cyst in these two patients. Case 3: a 6-month-old male had frequent episodes of tonic seizure. MRI demonstrated interhemispheric cyst and agenesis of the anterior part of corpus callosum. The resection of the cystic wall via the interhemispheric approach was performed for all cases. General convulsive seizure developed in the early stage following operation in case 1 and case 2, in spite of routine administration of prophylactic anticonvulsant. The seizures were well controlled thereafter. In all cases, the cyst disappeared on the follow up CT. Simple resection of cyst wall is effective in the surgical treatment of interhemispheric arachnoid cysts.     

Atypical meningioma with large cyst. Case report

A 29-year-old male presented with loss of consciousness and generalized seizure, followed by right hemiparesis and speech disturbance. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a solid, enhanced tumor with a cyst in the left frontal area with surrounding edema and mild mass effect. The cyst wall was also enhanced. The preoperative diagnosis was cystic falx meningioma. The tumor was totally resected, but most of the cyst wall adhered tightly to the surrounding brain and could not be removed. Histological examination revealed atypical meningioma and tumor cells in the cyst wall. The patient received local radiotherapy to the residual cyst wall with a total dose of 50 Gy.     

Peritumoral cystic meningioma

A case of 39 years old male is described who presented with headache, right-sided focal fits and decreased power in the right hand. CT scan brain showed a left fronto-parietal cystic lesion with centrolateral intramural nodule with homogenous enhancement. At surgery, the extra-axial lesion with cyst containing xanthochromic fluid had a well-defined capsule that could easily be separated from the peri-lesional cortical surface. The dural-based nodule with its cyst wall was resected in toto. The histopathology of mural nodule was reported as meningioma while the cyst wall histology revealed meningothelial cells.     

Atypical computed tomographic features of meningioma: a case report

Diagnosis of intracranial meningiomas with computed tomography (CT) is usually easy. However, some authors have reported cases preoperatively misdiagnosed because of atypical computed tomographic features. We report a case of non-cystic meningioma presenting a ring enhanced mass lesion, with CT scan. A 48-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on January 5, 1987, because of progressive monoparesis of his left lower limb. This had continued for 1 1/2 years. Neurological examination revealed monoparesis, hypesthesia and decreased deep sensation of the left lower limb. X-ray films of the skull appeared normal. A CT scan demonstrated a ring-like high density mass attached to the falx in the right frontoparietal area with perifocal low density. The ring-like high density was irregularly increased with contrast enhancement. Right carotid angiograms showed a doughnut like tumor stain without meningeal blood supply. Brain scintigrams revealed a dense round hot lesion in the frontoparietal area at 5 minutes, and the hot lesion was still visualized after 90 minutes. We diagnosed a cystic parasagittal meningioma. A right frontoparietal craniotomy was performed, and total removal of the parasagittal tumor was made. The center of the tumor was very soft but it could not be said that it was not cystic. Histologically the tumor was a meningotheliomatous meningioma. The center of the tumor, which was very soft, was necrotic with arteriolar hyalinization. The meningioma cells survived around the patent vessels. These intact meningioma cells were scattered like islands in extensive necrosis. This is so called "oasis phenomenon" indicating that the necrosis of the tumor was caused by intratumoral ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A case of non-neoplastic pineal cyst presenting Parinaud's syndrome

A case of non-neoplastic pineal cyst with Parinaud's syndrome is presented. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to the department of neurosurgery. Fukui Medical School on October, 1985, complaining of the paralysis of upward gaze. A computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a low density mass in the pineal region and the mass was not enhanced after the injection of contrast agent. Metrizamide CT cisternogram delineated the mass clearly. Bilateral carotid and vertebral angiograms showed no significant findings. On November 5, an operation was performed by means of an occipital transtentorial approach. A cyst filled with clear yellowish fluid was found in the pineal region. The cyst was evacuated and its wall was subtotally resected. The histological examination revealed the cystic cavity lined by fibrous astrocytes which were surrounded by normal pineal tissue. Therefore the cyst was diagnosed as a non-neoplastic pineal cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful. The paralysis of upward gaze was gradually improved. On December 27, the patient was discharged in excellent condition. Non-neoplastic small cysts which do not cause an enlargement of the pineal body are common incidental findings at autopsy, whereas large cysts which cause symptoms due to compression of the corpora quadrigemina and the production of internal hydrocephalus are rare. In this paper, non-neoplastic pineal cyst is discussed.     

Entirely suprasellar symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst

Two rare cases of entirely suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst were reported. Case 1. A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on the 14th of January, 1988, complaining of headache and diplopia. A plain skull x-ray showed the sella turcica was normal. CT scan and MRI demonstrated a lesion mass located entirely in the suprasellar cistern. Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed, and the cyst wall was resected subtotally. Microscopic sections of cyst wall showed ciliated single layer with focal stratified epithelium. Case 2. A 51-year-old man was hospitalized complaining of visual impairment in the left eye. Endocrinological examination showed no abnormalities. CT and MRI demonstrated a lesion mass located entirely in the suprasellar region. Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed. The mass was opened and a large amount of yellowish fluid was released. Histologically, the specimens were simple ciliated cuboidal epithelium. Postoperative courses of these patients were uneventful. The findings on CT and MRI of the cases located entirely in the suprasellar region were varied. The histopathogenesis and embryological pathogenesis of Rathke's cleft cyst in the literature, particularly the entirely suprasellar type, were discussed.     

A primary intraosseous cystic meningioma: Case report

IntroductionThis is a very rare case of intraosseous cystic meningioma. There have been no reports of similar cases in the last 30 years.Presentation of caseA 62-year-old man, suffering from a swelling of the lateral wall of the left orbit was admitted to our hospital. MRI and CT scan showed a large intradiploic lesion involving the lateral wall of the orbit and the greater wing of the sphenoid. The lesion was cystic with a mural nodule. We operated the patient and removed completely the mural nodule and the fibrous wall of cyst. Histological examination showed that the mural nodule was a benign meningothelial meningioma.DiscussionPrimary intraosseous meningiomas represent a subtype of primary extradural meningiomas; they comprise about 2% of all meningiomas and are therefore rare entities. Cystic meningiomas are rare, their incidence compared to all other types of meningiomas is of 2–4%. The presence of a meningioma with both characteristics: cystic and intraosseous, like in our case, is an exceptional occurrence.ConclusionThe surgical management of tumor was easy; its rarity means that the case is interesting.     

Cystic disease of right popliteal artery with spontaneous resolution]

The case was 50-year-old man. He was admitted to our hospital suffering from intermittent claudication. DSA and CT showed stenosis of the right popliteal artery due to compression by the tumor like lesion. The adventitial cystic disease was suggested. Three weeks later he had no symptom. DSA and CT revealed no reappearance of the adventitial cystic disease. The popliteal adventitial cyst spontaneously decreased in size. It is a very rare case.     

Multiple meningioma

Meningiomas are the most popular benign intracranial tumors, but they are rarely seen as a multiple growth. The incidence of multiple meningiomas, defined by Cushing and Eisenhardt, is about 1 to 2 per cent of all meningioma cases. Though many cases of the multiple meningiomas were reported previously in the world, some of them were concomitant with von Recklinghausen's disease or acoustic neurinoma. Most of the cases of the multiple meningiomas reported showed multiple lesion at the time of operation or after a few years of the initial operation. We have encountered two patients with multiple meningioma without the stigmata of von Recklinghausen's disease in our clinic. Case 1. A 58-year-old female visited the hospital complaining of headache and occasional nausea on February 6, 1980. Plain and enhanced cT confirmed a large tumor in the right parietal region and three small tumor nodules in the right occipital region. Carotid angiogram detected only two tumors of frontal falx. Apparent two tumor stains were seen on the region, and they were fed by meningeal frontal and parietal region, and they were fed by meningeal arteries through the right ophthalmic artery. A large tumor of parietal and a small tumor of frontal region on the right side of falx were removed. Three nodular tumors of right occipital convexity were extirpated at the same time. Histological examination of the tumors disclosed all extirpated tumors were fibroblastic meningioma. Case 2. A 61-year-old male developed convulsive seizure of the right upper limb and right side of the face was diagnosed as having convexity meningioma in the left parietal region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Gas-filled intradural cysts of the lumbar spine and the possible pathogenesis

Background contextThere have only been four reports of gas-filled intradural cysts, and the pathogenesis is unknown.PurposeTo document the radiologic and histopathologic features of gas-filled intradural cysts and to discuss the pathogenesis with a review of the literature.Study designCase report.MethodsA 67-year-old woman, admitted to our institute, presented with severe right thigh pain. On admission to the institute, enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, showed a cystic lesion in the spinal canal at the L2–L3 level, with an intensity suggesting the presence of gas. An enhanced region around the cyst was noted. Computed tomography after discography also revealed a water-soluble contrast filled the subarachnoid space and area around the cyst, but not inside.ResultsThe cyst was surgically resected. One of the nerve roots was firmly adherent to the gas-filled cyst. The cyst wall comprised fibrous tissue, including small granulations and herniated disc material.ConclusionGas-filled intradural cysts are rare. The pathogenesis appears to involve gas in a degenerated intervertebral disc, and spontaneous absorption of herniated disc material.     

Large cell carcinoma with chest wall infiltration combined with contralateral giant bulla

A 48-year-old male consulted the department of respiratory medicine for right precordial pain occurring from the beginning of May 2004. Chest X-ray indicated a tumorous shadow in the right upper lung field and a large left lung cyst. Although chest wall infiltration was suspected based on computed tomography (CT) demonstrating a mass lesion in the right S2, there was no significant swelling of the mediastinal lymph node. On the left side, the lung was markedly compressed by a large cyst in the left upper lobe. Since bronchoscopy failed to establish a definitive diagnosis, the patient was referred to our department for surgery based on a suspicion of malignant pulmonary tumor. Considering both the risk of perioperative complications due to the left cystic lesion at surgery for right lung lesion and the improvement of respiratory function by removing cystic lesion of the left lung, the left side operation was preceded by the right side. Although postoperative examinations of respiratory function did not demonstrate any particular improvement, the results of selective right pulmonary artery obstruction test supported the possibility of pulmonary lobectomy. Therefore, the right upper lobectomy and ND 2a mediastinal dissection combined with chest wall resection was subsequently performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis revealed that the tumor was a stage IIB large cell carcinoma of pT3N0M0 with costal infiltration.     

Neurenteric cyst of the craniocervical junction in an infant

A 1-year-old boy presented with an extremely rare neurenteric cyst of the craniocervical junction manifesting as weakness in all extremities, slowly progressing over 2 months with rapid deterioration during the last few days. Neurological examination on admission showed tetraparesis with hyper-reflexia in the extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an intradural extramedullary cystic lesion located ventrally to the cord, extending from the craniocervical junction to the C3 level. The cyst wall was not enhanced with contrast medium, and the cyst content was isointense to the cerebrospinal fluid. He underwent total removal of the cyst through a left suboccipital craniectomy with C1 hemilaminectomy. The lesion had not adhered to the surrounding structures except for attachment to the left C2 nerve root outlet. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed typical neurenteric cyst with single layer epithelium. His symptoms improved significantly after the surgery, and he suffered no recurrence during the 2-year follow-up period. Neurenteric cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intradural extramedullary cystic lesion located ventrally to the cord at the craniocervical junction in infants. Early surgical removal is recommended.     

Surgical exploration for renal cyst: two-case report]

A 59-year-old male was admitted to our clinic for further examination of the calcified renal cyst discovered incidentally on medical workup elsewhere. CT showed a left renal cyst associated with calcification. Ultrasound-guided puncture of the renal cyst was not successful because of thickness of the cystic wall. Renal angiography showed hypervascularity of the cystic wall. Association of renal cell carcinoma could not be ruled out, therefore the exploration was performed. Histological examination revealed benign renal cyst with calcification. A 27-year-old male presented with the chief complaint of left flank pain. Following examinations by US, CT and MRI, a renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma was highly suspected. Subsequent exploration revealed cluster of cysts with a yellowish lesion a few mm in diameter. Frozen section revealed no malignancy, and cystic fluid was not hemorrhagic. Therefore as many cystic walls as possible were removed without nephrectomy. Histological examination of the permanent specimen revealed renal cell carcinoma. Renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma was regarded as rare clinical entity, but such cases are reported in increasing number in recent years. We report such cases and review the pertinent literature in this paper.     

Two cases of urachal cyst

Case 1: A lower abdominal large painful mass was recognized by palpation, CT scan and ultrasonography in a 64-year-old house wife. Urine cytology was negative. The mass at the dome of bladder was covered with normal epithelium cystoscopically. Aspiration cytology of the lower abdominal mass demonstrated no malignancy and total excision of urachal remnant with a portion of bladder wall was carried out. Histologically, the mass was an urachal cyst with granulomatous change infected with C group beta-streptococcus. Case 2: A 46 year-old male engineer complained of asymptomatic hematuria. Cystoscopic examination revealed a small bleeding lesion at the dome of bladder. Urine cytology was negative. CT scan and ultrasonography revealed a tiny cystic mass lesion with irregular density. Biopsy or aspiration cytology appeared difficult because of the size and localization of the mass. En bloc segmental resection of urachal remnant was carried out. Since intraoperative rapid histological examination of the specimen confirmed no malignancies, dissection of pelvic lymph node was not performed. Urachal cysts presented above were suspicious of malignant degeneration from findings of imaging examination. Either preoperative or intraoperative histological examination in such cases appears to be indispensable to avoid unnecessary extensive operation as well as to perform radical operation required for malignant lesions.     

Ganglion cyst in the ligamentum flavum of the cervical spine causing myelopathy: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Ganglion cyst in the ligamentum flavum is commonly found in the lower lumbar region; occurrence in the cervical region is extremely rare. We report two cases of ganglion cyst in the cervical region and the clinical, pathological, and radiological findings. METHODS: The first patient was an 81-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with gradually progressive gait disturbance and radiating pain in both arms and legs, which was dominant on the left side. The second patient was a 65-year-old man with progressive muscle weakness of the extremities who was admitted with radiating pain in the right arm. In both cases, the cervical spinal cord had been compressed by the cystic mass with degeneration of the ligamentum flavum (the former left, the latter right) at the level of C3-4. RESULTS: The extradural-intraspinal cystic masses, which were revealed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be situated antero-laterally to the cervical laminae, were removed surgically without difficulty. After surgery, the symptoms and neurologic signs improved in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Ganglion cyst in the ligamentum flavum of the cervical spine is a very rare lesion causing radiculo-myelopathy. In both our cases, a correct diagnosis could be established preoperatively based on CT myelogram and MRI findings, and the results of surgery were excellent.     

Two cases of leiomyoma of the kidney]

Renal leiomyomas large enough to be clinically diagnosed are extremely rare. We review 30 cases of clinically diagnosed renal leiomyoma from the literature in Japan, including our 2 new cases. Case 1: In a 52-year-old man with no symptoms a renal mass was found accidentally on an ultrasonogram. CT scan showed a mass with a cystic area at the upper pole of the right kidney. Angiogram showed a hypovascular mass. Case 2: CT scan revealed a cystic mass and angiogram showed an avascular mass at the upper pole of the left kidney in a 19-year-old man having gross hematuria and left flank pain. Transperitoneal nephrectomy was done in both cases. Histologically each tumor was composed of monotonous proliferation of spindle shaped cells without atypia, which showed intense immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin. The diagnosis of benign leiomyoma was made in each case. In a review of 30 cases, we found that renal leiomyomas occur most often in female (77%), between decades 2 and 5 of life (median: 46 years). On the angiogram it appears most often as an avascular or hypovascular mass. CT scan shows cystic or mixed solid/cystic or solid lesion, occasionally with calcification. Preoperative diagnosis is extremely difficult to be made. Histologically, fibroma, angiomyolipoma, congenital mesoblastic nephroma and leiomyosarcoma should be differentiated.     

Cardiac varix in relation to right atrial free wall presenting as a mass compressing the right atrium and mimicking a pericardial cyst

Cardiac varix is a rare entity. It is generally small and is in relation to the interatrial septum, often mistaken as cardiac myxoma. A 19-year-old girl, on evaluation of respiratory infection, was found to have a mass compressing the right atrium. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a differential diagnosis of pericardial cyst or hydatid cyst. Peroperatively, a large (8 x 6.5 x 5.5 cm) cystic lesion in relation to the right atrial free wall was found. The histopathology of the resected mass revealed it to be a cardiac varix. The case is notable for its large size and its location in relation to the right atrial free wall.