Intracranial inflammatory tumors: A survey of their various etiologies by presentation of 5 cases

Due to similar clinical and neuroradiological features, intracranial inflam matory tumors (IITs) are frequently mis-diagnosed as brain neoplasms, from which they notably differ in respect to therapy and prognosis. In this arti cle, five cases of such tumors are presented. Three of the patients with br ain tumors (cases 3, 4 and 5) presented a history of 'pararheumatic' syndro mes but no diagnosis of defined immunopathies. On the basis of radiological findings, all processes were classified as genuine brain neoplasms, but hi stology showed reactive inflammatory features. The possible etiologies of t hese 'tumors' are discussed on the basis of all clinical and histological d ata of the patients. The spectrum of diseases potentially leading to the ma nifestation of an IIT is reviewed. Additionally, the presentation of case 5 , who developed a highly malignant B-cell-lymphoma 6 months after the remov al of an IIT without any histological signs of atypia, shows that this diff erential diagnosis always has to be kept in mind.