Central neurocytoma: 2 case reports and review of the literature

Central neurocytoma is a rare benign tumor of the central nervous system oc curing in young adults and typically located in the ventricles. The tumor i s composed of small round cells with neuronal differentiation and has a fav ourable prognosis. We report two cases of giant central neurocytomas with a triventricular extension in two young women. The first case concerned a 26 years old righthanded woman in whom an intrav entricular mass was discovered, after a car accident with head trauma. Skul l radiography showed an enlargment of the sella turcica. A CT scan performe d in order to examine the pituitary gland revealed a voluminous and heterog enous intraventricular tumor with calcification. The second case concerned a 26 years old righthanded woman, presenting with a 4 Glasgow Coma Scale Score preceded by an acute onset of headache with p rojectile vomiting. A CT scan performed in emergency revealed a voluminous intraventricular mass with significant hydrocephalus. We review the different pathological and topographical patterns of previous ly published neurocytomas and discuss surgical management, effectiveness of radiation therapy and biological behavior.