[Neurenteric cyst of the posterior fossa. Case report and review of the literature].
Intracranial neurenteric cysts are rare entities. The term is currently used to describe epithelial cysts that are lined with a presumed endodermal-derived epithelium and are mostly located in the posterior fossa. Preoperative diagnosis is often difficult because of their clinical presentation, which may resemble a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the radiological aspect, which can mimic vascular pathologies. We describe a posterior fossa neurenteric cyst in a 27-year-old woman, who presented with sudden headache as the only symptom and who was addressed to our hospital for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Diagnostic angiography was negative and MRI revealed a prepontine cystic lesion. The patient underwent a posterolateral approach on the right side, with subtotal resection of the lesion. We discuss the embryologic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these cysts and review the literature.
Scarone
P
P
Service de neurochirurgie, fondation ophtalmologique Adolphe-de-Rothschild, 25-29 rue Manin, 75940 Paris cedex 19, France. pietroscarone@yahoo.it
Boissonnet
H
H
Heran
F
F
Gray
F
F
Robert
G
G
D000328:Adult; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery