Primary carcinoid tumor of the cavernous sinus

The "chameleon" sellar lesions: a case report of unexpected sellar lesions

Introduction

The sellar region and its boundaries represent a challenging area, harboring a variety of tissues of different linings. Therefore, a variety of diseases can arise or involve in this area (i.e., neoplastic or not). A total of three challenging cases of "chameleon" sellar lesions treated via EEA were described, and the lesions mimicked radiological features of common sellar masses such as craniopharyngiomas and/or pituitary adenomas, and we also report a literature review of similar cases.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of three primary cases was conducted at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. Clinical information, radiological examinations, and pathology reports were illustrated.

Results

A total of three cases of so-called "chameleon" sellar lesions comprising two men and one woman were reported. Based on the intraoperative finding and pathological examination, we noticed that case 1 had suprasellar glioblastoma, case 2 had a primary neuroendocrine tumor, and case 3 had cavernous malformation.

Conclusion

Neurosurgeons should consider "unexpected" lesions of the sellar/suprasellar region in the preoperative differential diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach with the collaboration of neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and pathologists plays a fundamental role. The recognition of unusual sellar lesions can help surgeons with better preoperative planning; so an endoscopic endonasal approach may represent a valid surgical technique to obtain decompression of the optic apparatus and vascular structures and finally a pathological diagnosis.

Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Case Report and Literature Review

Primary intracranial neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare malignancies with very few cases reported in the world literature. We describe a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the right cerebellopontine angle, the second case that has been described in this location. The possible origin in this place and treatment are described.

A 29-year-old male patient, diagnosed with schwannoma of the right cerebellopontine angle, and treated with radiosurgery at another institution, came to our hospital six months later, The patient presented with a history of rapid progression of numbness on the right side of the face, diplopia, dizziness, vomiting, and facial palsy. On examination, the right cranial nerves V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX were affected. The MRI showed tumor growth occupying the right cerebellopontine angle, with compression of the brain stem and cerebellum. A right retromastoid craniectomy removed the tumor partially and the histopathological examination revealed a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma.

We describe a primary neuroendocrine tumor of the brain that, despite its rarity, must be considered in the differential diagnosis. There are currently no guidelines for the management of these tumors. According to previously reported cases, surgery is the first line of treatment, followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. We consider that such a rare case is needed to be reported for a better understanding of the disease and its neurobiology.

Unique Finding of a Primary Central Nervous System Neuroendocrine Carcinoma in a 5-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms predominantly arising in the gastrointestinal-tract or the lungs of adults. To date, only ten cases of primary central nervous system (CNS) NETs have been reported, with just three of them describing a neuroendocrine carcinoma (NECA) and none occurring in a child. We report on a previously healthy 5-year-old boy, who presented with headaches, nausea and vomiting, and was diagnosed with a left cerebellar solid mass with a cystic component. After gross-total resection, histology revealed a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Molecular analysis of the tumor tissue showed a KRAS-splice-site mutation (c451-3C > T). The KRAS-mutation was discovered to be a maternal germline mutation, previously described as likely benign. After extensive search for an extracranial primary tumor, including Ga-68 DOTANOC-PET-CT, the diagnosis of a primary CNS NECA was established, and proton irradiation was performed. Unfortunately, the patient developed an in-field recurrence just 5 weeks after the end of radiotherapy. The tumor was re-resected with vital tumor tissue. Six cycles of chemotherapy were initiated, consisting of cisplatin, carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide. The patient remains disease free 22 months after the end of treatment, supporting the beneficial effect of platinum- and etoposide-based chemotherapy for this tumor entity.

Primary neuroendocrine tumor of the pineal gland: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Primary intracranial neuroendocrine tumors are exceedingly rare, with few cases in the literature. We present a case of a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pineal gland, which is the second that has ever been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 53-year-old male patient presented with vomiting, weakness, and headaches. Imaging revealed a lesion in the pineal region, which was surgically resected. This mass was characterized by histology as a neuroendocrine carcinoma, given the presence of neuroendocrine markers and cytokeratin markers with absence of a primary lesion elsewhere on imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

There are currently no guidelines on the management of primary intracranial neuroendocrine tumors. In this case, the patient underwent surgical resection and craniospinal radiotherapy. He subsequently received one cycle of chemotherapy with temozolomide, an alkylating agent, but he unfortunately did not tolerate treatment. A multidisciplinary decision was made along with the patient and his family to focus on palliative care. Eighteen months after the initial presentation, disease recurred in the patient's neck. The patient underwent resection to control the metastases, with a plan to follow with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient became unwell and died at 21 months after initial diagnosis. This demonstrates a need for continued research and reporting on this uncommon disease entity.

Unusual cause of a painless soft tissue mass of the scalp: a rare presentation of primary intracranial neuroendocrine neoplasm

Incidental soft tissue lumps in the scalp are a common presenting complaint in clinical practice. However, they may signify more sinister underlying pathologies. Our report examines a 63-year-old man presenting with impaired co-ordination in his left hand following a 3-month history of a painless left retroauricular scalp lump. MRI revealed a large left occipital soft tissue mass eroding through the underlying skull with infiltration into the underlying cerebellum and temporal lobe. Open biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of high-grade intracranial neuroendocrine tumour (NET). At approximately 5 months following successful tumour resection and adjuvant chemotherapy, he developed tumour recurrence and was subsequently palliated, and died at 1 year post diagnosis. Herein, we review other cases of primary intracranial NET, clinical findings, histopathological features and prognosis.

Primary Intracranial Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Skull Base Complicated with Tension Pneumocephalus after Radiotherapy

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are neoplasms that originate from cells of the endocrine and nervous systems, and are commonly found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Primary intracranial NETs are extremely rare and have been the focus of only a few studies thus far. Herein, we report the case of a primary intracranial NET of the skull base complicated with tension pneumocephalus after radiotherapy. An 84-year-old woman visited a local hospital for a head injury, and CT revealed a skull base tumor. MRI showed that the tumor was located mainly on the clivus and extended into the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. We biopsied the tumor via the nasal cavity, and the pathological diagnosis was NET, WHO grade 2. We subsequently administered focal intensity-modulated radiation therapy, but the patient developed tension pneumocephalus 1 year after radiotherapy. We therefore performed endoscopic transnasal cerebrospinal fluid leak closure with a nasoseptal flap. The postoperative course was successful, and the patient returned home but died of an unknown cause 2 years after discharge. The optimal postoperative management of primary intracranial NETs remains controversial. Tension pneumocephalus related to radiotherapy is a rare complication. Assessing skull bone erosion before radiotherapy and performing regular radiological follow-up examinations are essential to prevent this rare complication.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the brain

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are malignancies with rare reports of central nervous system development. A 34-year-old woman was found to have a primary NEN of the brain, and she had recurrence with identical histology 10 years later. Extracranial NENs were excluded. She had routine surveillance for the first 5 years with MRIs and positron emission tomography/CTs after the initial presentation which was treated with radiation followed by cisplatin and etoposide. This case highlights the difference in primary NENs versus NEN metastases to the brain, and that longer periods of surveillance are likely required for primary NENs. This is important because the prognosis between primary NENs and metastatic NENs to the brain are vastly different and should not be treated as equal diseases. The patient eventually died of her recurrence secondary to complications of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus from the disease.

Invited Review: Pathology of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours: present status, modern diagnostic approach, controversies and future perspectives from a neuropathological and clinical standpoint

Neuroendocrine tumours of the adenohypophysis have traditionally been designated as pituitary adenomas to underline their usually indolent growth and lack of metastatic potential. However, they may demonstrate a huge spectrum of growth patterns and endocrine disturbances, some of them significantly affecting health and quality of life. To predict tumour growth, risk of postoperative recurrence and response to medical therapy in patients with pituitary neuroendocrine tumours is challenging. A thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnostic work-up is an obligatory part of a multidisciplinary effort to precisely define the tumour type and assess prognostic and predictive factors on an individual basis. In this review, we have summarized the current status in the pathology in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours based on the selection of references from the PubMed database. We have presented possible diagnostic approaches according to the current pituitary cell lineage-based classification. The importance of recognizing histological subtypes with potentially aggressive behaviour and identification of prognostic and predictive tissue biomarkers have been highlighted. Controversies related to particular subtypes of pituitary tumours and a still limited prognostic impact of the current classification indicate the need for further refinement. Multidisciplinary approach including clinical, pathological and molecular genetic characterization will be essential for improved personalized therapy and the search for novel therapeutic targets in patients with pituitary neuroendocrine tumours.

Pathologic Progression, Possible Origin, and Management of Multiple Primary Intracranial Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Primary intracranial neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are extremely rare malignant tumors with no previous reports of multiple ones in the literatures.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The clinical presentation, preoperative and reexamined magnetic resonance imaging findings, as well as histopathologic studies of a 56-year-old female subject with multiple intracranial NECs mimicking multiple intracranial meningiomas, who underwent 3 operations with left parietal craniotomy, right occipital parietal craniotomy, and left frontal craniotomy, separately and chronologically, are presented in this article. Noteworthy, the first and second tumors were confirmed as NECs exhibiting histologic characteristics of typical anaplastic meningiomas with features of whorl formation, while the third tumor was a typical NEC with features of organoid cancer nests. In other words, the first 2 lesions were diagnosed as meningioma as opposed to NEC. It was only after the third surgery that the pathology for the first 2 cases was reviewed and had a revised diagnosis. After the third surgical resection, the patient further received whole brain radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy (temozolomide combined with YH-16). At her 10-month follow-up, the patient achieved a good outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple primary intracranial NECs are extremely rare. The tumor might be of arachnoidal or leptomeningeal origin, with histologic patterns that might lead to transformation and/or progression. Maximal surgical resection is warranted for symptomatic mass effect. Postoperative adjuvant treatments including radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be a recommended therapeutic modality.

Primary pituitary neuroendocrine tumor: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) originate from the diffuse neuroendocrine system. These can arise in almost every organ of the body, although they are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. The skull base and sellar region are extremely rare sites for neuroendocrine carcinoma. Consequently, in this case, both diagnosis and definition of surgical goals, as well as further treatment strategies were challenging.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our Neurosurgery Department with a rapidly progressive visus reduction, drowsiness, polyuria, and polydipsia. Neuroimaging showed a sellar/suprasellar mass (diameter of 2 cm) with a heterogeneous signal compressing the optic chiasm and extending laterally toward the cavernous sinus. Differential diagnosis based on imaging included pituitary macroadenoma or metastasis. The patient underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. A total resection of the mass was impossible because of the infiltration of the optic chiasm and the intraoperative histological diagnosis of malignant epithelial neoplasm. Further histological evaluation revealed that the lesion was a NET with no other primary or metastatic sites detectable. Subsequently, the patient was successfully treated with fractioned stereotactic radiotherapy and polychemotherapy. Four years after the surgery, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed stability of the residual disease. Neurologic examination revealed a complete visual recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary pituitary NET, though rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of sellar lesions. A multimodality treatment approach is needed. Finally, the present case highlights, that in the case of a pituitary lesion infiltrating the optic chiasm, including NET, the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal subtotal resection followed by fractioned stereotactic radiotherapy and chemotherapy may represent an effective and safe choice of treatment.

Rectal carcinoid tumor metastasis to a skull base meningioma

Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that most frequently develop in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs and have high potential for metastasis. Metastasis to the brain is rare, but to another intracranial tumor is extremely rare. Of the intracranial tumors, meningiomas are the most common to host metastases, which may be related to its rich vascularity and E-cadherin expression. We describe the case of a 65-year-old female with active chemotherapy-treated neuroendocrine carcinoma who presented with left-sided facial numbness, headaches, and blurry vision. Initial imaging revealed a 1 cm irregular dural-based left petrous apex mass suggestive of a meningioma that was re-imaged four months later as a rapidly enlarging, extra-axial, mass extending into the cavernous sinus, effacing Meckel's cave that resembled a trigeminal schwannoma. Pathology revealed a carcinoid tumor metastatic to meningioma. While the mass displayed characteristic imaging findings of a schwannoma, rapid growth in the setting of known active malignancy should prompt the clinician to consider mixed pathology from metastatic disease or a more aggressive meningioma.

Anesthetic management of patients undergoing resection of carcinoid metastasis to the brain

BACKGROUND

Carcinoid tumors are derived from enterochromaffin cells and may release physiologically active compounds into the systemic circulation, leading to the development of carcinoid syndrome. Occasionally, these tumors metastasize to the brain, warranting biopsy or resection. In these surgical patients, the perioperative implications for anesthetic management are not heretofore defined in the indexed literature.

METHODS

Patients who had craniotomy for biopsy or resection of intracranial carcinoid tumors were retrospectively identified at a single medical center. Patient demographics, perioperative anesthetic management, adverse events, and outcome were summarized in this case series.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were identified; median age was 60 years (range = 42-78 years), and 45% were male. Immediately before surgery, 4 patients (36%) were receiving a somatostatin analog drug, and no patient had unchecked carcinoid syndrome. All patients received general anesthesia that included inhaled isoflurane and nitrous oxide, and all had invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring. One patient developed sustained hypotension after induction of anesthesia, likely related to hypovolemia and anesthetic drugs, but the possibility of carcinoid mediator release cannot be excluded. There were no other signs or symptoms of carcinoid syndrome in this or any other patient. Of all 11 patients, 10 (91%) experienced either significant disease progression (n = 2; 18%) or death (n = 8; 73%) from carcinoid disease, its sequelae, or an undetermined cause within 3 years after surgery. Of note, 3 of the deaths occurred shortly after surgery, on postoperative days 3, 7, and 8.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, carcinoid tumor metastasis to the brain-whether because of tumor makeup or prior treatment-is unlikely to produce symptoms of new-onset carcinoid syndrome intraoperatively; however, the risk cannot be completely excluded. Postsurgical prognosis was poor, both within the hospital and after hospital discharge.