Cerebellar mature teratoma in adulthood

J Neurosurg Sci. 2002 Mar;46(1):35-8; discussiom 38.

Abstract

Mature teratoma of the posterior cranial fossa in adults is extremely rare. We report a particularly rare case of medio-lateral cerebellar mature teratoma that became symptomatic in a middle-aged man. The CT revealed the lesion of heterogeneous density with calcifications in the solid medial portion. Only the MRI could reliably define the borders of the cystic component extending into the left cerebellar lobe. Histologically the presence of fully matured representative tissues of the 3 germ layers ensured the diagnosis of mature teratoma. We suggest that the cyst formation from progressive latent hemorrhage and/or secretion from the gland cells of the tumor, may be responsible for the clinical decompensation even in adulthood.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Teratoma / diagnosis*
  • Teratoma / pathology*
  • Teratoma / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome