Colloid cyst of third ventricle

Abstract

1878-7649/$ – see front matter 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Ger doi:10.1016/j.eurger.2010.07.014 Computed tomography (CT) without contrast product showed a 23 mmhyperdense spheric tumor of the third ventricle (Fig. 1). The cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) described a ponto cerebellar ischemic stroke and a lesion hanging on the roof of third ventricle and hyperintense on T1 weighted sequence (Fig. 2). A voluminous colloid cyst was diagnosed. The patient progressively recovered of ataxia and dysarthria. An atrial fibrillation was diagnosed on electrocardiogram and treated with warfarin and a beta-blocker. She did not have previous symptoms suggesting colloid cyst as headaches. In agreementwith the neurosurgeon, the colloid cyst was not removed and a follow-up by CT scan was proposed. A colloid cyst is a quite unusual benign tumor that occurs within the third ventricle and can obstruct the cerebrospinal fluid flow [1]. The cyst size range from 2–50 mm and contains colloid material including cholesterol fats responsible of the MRI aspects. Associated signs and symptoms cover a wide range of features, from asymptomatic to intermittent headaches or less commonly nausea, gait disturbance or short-term memory loss. Some colloid cysts can lead to acute hydrocephaly and sudden death [1]. On CT the mass is usually hyper or isodense to grey matter while on MR