Accumulation of intraventricular fat in an intracranial epidermoid tumor: case report.
OBJECTIVE
A fat component within the ventricles or subarachnoid space in fat-containing tumors such as an epidermoid or a dermoid has been observed in rare instances. However, there have been no reports regarding an increase in the size of such a fat component. We describe the case of an epidermoid tumor with intraventricular fat that showed an increase in size and amount.


METHODS
A 26-year-old woman was admitted with headache and diplopia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a fat-containing suprasellar tumor and widespread fat globules in adjacent sulci and cisterns and within the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle.


METHODS
The patient underwent a pterional craniotomy. Removal of the suprasellar tumor was nearly total. Histopathological examination revealed an epidermoid tumor. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging throughout the ensuing 65-month period revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence; however, the intraventricular fat remained and increased in size. The patient underwent surgery via the transcallosal approach at 69 months after the initial operation, and the presence of free-floating oily fat globules was confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
In the case of a fat-containing tumor with free fat in the cerebrospinal fluid spaces, careful serial examination is necessary, with particular attention to the possibility of changes in size.
Kwon
T H
TH
Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul.
Park
Y K
YK
Chung
H S
HS
Lee
H K
HK
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000378:metabolism*; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging