title: Simultaneous subependymomas in monozygotic female twins: further evidence for a common genetic or developmental disorder background.
abstract: In this paper, a rare case of subependymoma of the fourth ventricle in identical female twins is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging and CT showed nearly identical locations of the tumors in the fourth ventricle and similar growth patterns of the tumors in both sisters. Likewise, postoperative histopathological analysis of both tumors revealed the typical histological appearance of subependymomas. Subependymoma is a rare, low-grade glioma of the CNS, slowly growing and usually asymptomatic. If symptomatic, a subependymoma can in some cases lead to sudden death caused by pressure on the brainstem or decompensated secondary hydrocephalus. This case demonstrates the importance of detecting tumors early and thereby preventing symptoms arising from increasing intracranial pressure, and optimizing therapy options.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurosurgery.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noell
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beschorner
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisdas
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Ruthild G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallier-Becker
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ritz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D020546:Fourth Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018315:Glioma, Subependymal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
keywords: GFAP = glial fibrillary acidic protein; SNP = single nucleotide polymorphism; familial tumor; fourth ventricle; genetics; monozygotic twins; oncology; subependymoma