Diagnosis and treatment of intracranial neurocytomas: a report of 9 cases

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations, pathological features, imaging findings, microsurgical treatment effectiveness and prognosis of intraventricular central neurocytoma (CNC) and extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN). Methods The clinical data of nine patients with intracranial neurocytomas, admitted to our hospital from January 2004 to June 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. A comparative study of clinical manifestations, pathological features, imaging findings, microsurgical treatment effectiveness and prognosis of CNC (n=6) and EVN (n=3) was performed. Results In the six patients with CNC, total removal of the lesions was achieved in 3, subtotal removal in 2 and partial removal in 1. In the three patients with EVN, total removal of the lesions was achieved in 2 and subtotal removal in 1. The pathological features of CNC and EVN were similar, showing nerve fibers without nuclear. No recurrence was noted in 24-72 months of follow-up. Facial paralysis occurred in a young male patient and recovered after 6 months. Conclusions CNC and EVN share the same pathological characters, but have different clinical presentations, image findings and prognoses. Total removal of the tumor plays a key role in improving the prognosis of the patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemical therapy can control the progress of residual tumor and delay the recurrence of it. Key words: Central neurocytoma; Ventricle; Diagnosis; Prognosis