Subependymomas: a clinicopathological study of 6 symptomatic cases.
BACKGROUND
Subependymomas are rare, slow-growing, ependymal neoplasms that commonly occur in the fourth or lateral ventricles.


OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study of 6 histologically proven subependymomas was undertaken to analyse their clinicopathological characteristics.


RESULTS
There were five male and one female patients ranging in age from 11 to 50 years (mean 35.8 years). All patients were symptomatic at diagnosis. The most common clinical presentations included headache (n=6) and vomiting (n=3). Tumours were located in the lateral ventricle in five cases and in the fourth ventricle in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging detected obstructive hydrocephalus in all cases. Five patients underwent gross total resection and one patient had subtotal excision of the tumour. Histologically, all tumours were characterised by clustering of isomorphic cells arranged against a fibrillary background. Focal cystic degeneration was seen in 5 tumours. During the follow-up period, which ranged between 2 months and 10 years, all patients were symptom-free with no evidence of recurrence.
Limaïem
F
F
Department of Pathology, La Rabta Hospital 1007, Bab Saadoun Tuni, Tunisias. fatenlimaiem@yahoo.fr
Bellil
S B H
SB
Bellil
K
K
Chelly
I
I
Jemel
H
H
Haouet
S
S
Khaldi
M
M
Zitouna
M
M
Kchir
N
N
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020546:Fourth Ventricle / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D018315:Glioma, Subependymal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014746:Vimentin