Magnetic resonance imaging of colloid cysts of the third ventricle

Solid-calcified colloid cyst of the third ventricle

We report a 65-year-old female with a solid-calcified colloid cyst in the third ventricle that was demonstrated on computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance images. The lesion was surgically excised using the anterior transcallosal-transforaminal approach. Complete preservation of the surrounding neural and vascular structures was achieved.

Colloid cyst of the third ventricle: radiologic-pathologic correlation

We describe a patient with a large colloid cyst of the third ventricle and resultant hydrocephalus. An unenhanced brain CT demonstrated the central portion of the mass to be of increased density relative to the peripheral portion. On T1-weighted images, the central portion of the mass was of increased signal intensity relative to brain, whereas the periphery was isointense. On T2-weighted images, the central portion was markedly hypointense to brain, while the peripheral portion was isointense. These imaging findings corresponded to an actual pathological difference between the central and peripheral portions of the mass. The central portion was solid, whereas the periphery was liquid. Since no histological difference was identified between the central and peripheral portions of the mass, we hypothesize that the differences in densities on CT and signal characteristics on MR were related to the state of hydration in the mass where the central portion possibly had a higher protein concentration than the periphery.

Third ventricular cysticercal cyst mimicking a colloid cyst: case report

We describe a case of a 28-year-old Latino man who presented with signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and radiographic evidence of a third ventricular cystic lesion. The cyst was removed via a transcallosal approach; the histology was noted to be a cysticercal lesion. The radiographic and histological features of this interesting case are discussed.

Nonneoplastic intracranial cysts and cystic lesions

This article reviews the gamut of cystic lesions, unrelated to neoplastic disease, that are found in the brain, subarachnoid space, and ventricles. The utility of MRI in diagnosing these entities is shown.

Review article: computed tomography and magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of intraventricular cerebral masses

We describe a series of 60 cases of patients with masses arising within the cerebral ventricles. The site and relative frequency is noted for each histological type. The differential diagnosis depends on patient age and sex, site, morphology and number of masses, presence and type of hydrocephalus and the characteristics of the mass on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images. A review of the literature has been performed and this information collated with our own experience to give detailed descriptions of the typical features of each intraventricular mass. Attention is drawn to intraventricular neurocytoma, a recently described tumour that may be mistaken histologically for intraventricular oligodendroglioma or ependymoma. A comparison is made of the value of CT and MR in the diagnosis of intraventricular masses.