Supratentorial hemangioblastoma: clinical features, prognosis, and predictive value of location for von Hippel-Lindau disease

Expression of somatostatin receptors in hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease as a novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up opportunity: A case report and literature review

Hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease are frequently multiple and recur during prolonged follow-up. Currently, no systemic treatment is available for these tumors. Recent studies have shown the expression of somatostatin receptors in these types of hemangioblastomas. Notably, increased somatostatin receptor expression in a tumor, as determined by peptide-receptor radionuclide imaging, is a predictive factor of response to treatment with somatostatin analogs and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the case of a patient with increased expression of somatostatin receptors in a suprasellar hemangioblastoma associated with VHL disease and conduct a literature review on somatostatin receptor expression in patients with VHL-associated hemangioblastomas. We describe herein the case of a 51-year-old man with VHL disease who had a suprasellar hemangioblastoma detected on magnetic resonance imaging. Peptide-receptor radionuclide imaging using gallium-68-DOTATOC (68Ga-DOTATOC) identified increased expression of somatostatin receptors in the suprasellar hemangioblastoma, along with multiple pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and bilateral pheochromocytomas. The patient was treated for 1 year with lanreotide, a somatostatin analog. A repeat 68Ga-DOTATOC 1 year after starting lanreotide revealed decreased radiotracer uptake by the hemangioblastoma, consistent with a metabolic response. The presence of somatostatin receptors in hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease is a novel finding. The decreased expression of these receptors after treatment with a somatostatin analog, as described in the present case, positions the somatostatin receptor as a new target for novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up opportunities in patients with VHL disease.

Exceptional and Sustained Response to Belzutifan in Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-Associated Central Nervous System Hemangioblastoma

Von Hippiel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a variety of benign and malignant neoplastic growths arising in multiple different organ systems. About 60%-84% of patients develop hemangioblastomas, benign tumors comprised of newly formed blood vessels that often occur in the central nervous system (CNS) and retinas. Treatment options for this disease were limited before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of belzutifan, a HIF2α inhibitor. We present a case of a 25-year-old woman with VHL who underwent treatment with belzutifan over 18 months. It was noted that her CNS lesions decreased significantly in size over the course of her treatment, and she had minimal adverse effects. Her excellent and sustained therapeutic response to the treatment highlights the real-world clinical benefit of belzutifan and the possibility that this could play a crucial role in treating VHL by postponing or completely avoiding repeated surgical and radiotherapeutic intervention and their associated comorbidities.

Supratentorial hemangioblastoma: correlation between phenotype, gender and vascular territory affected

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are rare, vascular lesions. The presence of peri-tumoral cysts and edema has meaningful clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of both cyst and edema formation is not fully understood. This study sought to determine if the radiologic phenotype of supratentorial hemangioblastoma is affected by the different cerebral arterial circulations. Review of the English-language literature from 1973 to 2023 yielded 53 cases of parenchymal supratentorial hemangioblastomas eligible for analysis. Patients were divided by the vascular territorial distribution of the lesions: anterior circulation (n = 36) or posterior circulation (n = 17), and the groups were compared for demographic, clinical, radiologic and molecular variables. Univariate analyses yielded a significant difference between the groups in five variables. Cystic changes and "classic" radiological phenotype were associated with hemangioblastomas of the posterior circulation (OR = 0.19, p = 0.045 and OR = 0.287, p = 0.048, respectively), while female gender, significant peritumoral edema and purely solid phenotype were associated with hemangioblastomas of the anterior circulation (OR = 3.384, p = 0.045 and OR = 5.25, p = 0.05 and OR = 14.0, p = 0.015; respectively). On multivariate analysis, solid phenotype and female gender remained significantly associated with the anterior circulation (OR = 36.04, p = 0.014 and OR = 4.45, p = 0.045). The incidence of von-Hippel Lindau disease was higher in the anterior-circulation group. Cystic tumors were present in all females in the posterior-circulation group compared to 43.4% in the anterior-circulation group (OR = 20.714, 95% CI 1.061 to 404.122; p = 0.045). Based on historical cases of supratentorial hemangioblastoma, this study shows that different tumor phenotypes are associated with the different cerebral circulations. Gender was also associated with differences in tumor distribution and radiologic phenotype. These novel data may improve our understanding of unique vascular diseases of the central nervous system.

Intraoperative confocal laser endomicroscopy for interpretation of a sellar hemangioblastoma: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative frozen sections play a critical role in surgical strategy because of their ability to provide rapid histopathological information. In cases in which intraoperative biopsy carries a significant risk of bleeding, intraoperative confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) can assist in decision-making.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present a rare case of a large sellar hemangioblastoma. Preoperative radiographic imaging and normal pituitary function suggested a differential diagnosis that included hemangioblastoma. The patient underwent partial preoperative embolization and a right-sided pterional craniotomy for resection of the lesion. Gross intraoperative examination revealed a highly vascular sellar lesion requiring circumferential dissection to minimize blood loss. The serious vascularity precluded intraoperative frozen section analysis, and CLE imaging was performed. CLE imaging provided excellent visualization of the remarkable vascular structure and characteristic histoarchitecture with microvasculature, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, and atypical cells consistent with hemangioblastoma. Resection and decompression of the chiasm was accomplished, and the patient was discharged with improved vision. The final histopathological diagnosis was hemangioblastoma.

LESSONS

When the benefits of obtaining intraoperative frozen sections greatly outweigh the associated risks, CLE imaging can aid in decision-making. CLE imaging offers real-time, on-the-fly evaluation of intraoperative tissue without the need to biopsy a vascular lesion.

Supratentorial Hemangioblastoma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Comparison of Infratentorial and Spinal Cord Locations

BACKGROUND

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are benign and highly vascularized neoplasms that appear most often in the spine and posterior cranial fossa. They can also be located in the supratentorial compartment of the brain. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to better understand the clinical insights of supratentorial hemangioblastoma in adults.

METHODS

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the authors reviewed the English-language literature in the PubMed/MEDLINE database on supratentorial hemangioblastoma in adults, published in the past 40 years. We analyzed the differences between sporadic hemangioblastomas and hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. In addition, we compared the characteristics of supratentorial hemangioblastomas with infratentorial and spinal cord locations.

RESULTS

We reviewed 92 articles, describing 157 supratentorial hemangioblastomas in a total cohort of 148 adult patients. Most articles reporting supratentorial hemangioblastomas were published in the United States. Supratentorial hemangioblastomas occur more frequently in women than men. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 44.48 years. The sellar/parasellar region was the most commonly tumor location, while the most common morphological type was the solid type. Almost 80% of hemangioblastomas were completely resected; the outcome was favorable in more than 3 fourth of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Given their rarity, the literature on supratentorial hemangioblastomas is limited and based mostly on case reports. Complete surgical resection is the first choice of treatment and is associated with a good treatment outcome.

Clinical characteristics, surgical management, and prognostic factors for supratentorial hemangioblastoma: A retrospective study

Background

Supratentorial hemangioblastoma is an extremely rare neoplasm. The aim of this study is to delineate the clinical features among cystic and solid supratentorial hemangioblastoma patients and evaluate the risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

We conducted a literature search in PubMed for histopathologically identified supratentorial hemangioblastoma between 1947 and 2021 and extracted and collected the clinical features of patients treated at our own institute. The rate of PFS was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Differences in categorical factors, such as the location of tumor and diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau disease, were analyzed using the Pearson χ ² test. A Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between various variates and survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 237 cases of supratentorial hemangioblastoma were identified from 169 studies. A survival analysis found that patients with cystic tumors had a significantly better prognosis than those with solid tumors (log-rank, p = 0.0122). Cox regression analysis suggested that cystic hemangioblastoma (hazard ratio (HR): 0.186, 95% CI: 0.043-0.803, p < 0.05) and gross total resection (GTR) (HR: 0.126, 95% CI: 0.049-0.323, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of longer survival (PFS) for supratentorial hemangioblastoma. Following an analysis of 13 supratentorial hemangioblastoma cases from our institute, we validated that cystic tumor had improved prognosis than solid tumor (log-rank, p = 0.0096) and GTR was superior to subtotal resection (log-rank, p = 0.0029).

Conclusions

Cystic hemangioblastoma vs. solid hemangioblastoma may be two tumoral statuses with different clinical features, and a specific treatment strategy should be considered.

Hemangioblastomas and Other Vascular Origating Tumors of Brain or Spinal Cord

Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are highly vascularized, slow-growing, rare benign tumors (WHO grade I). They account for about 2% of intracranial neoplasms; however, they are the most common primary cerebellar tumors in adults. Another frequent seat is the spinal cord (2-10% of primary spinal cord tumors). HBs are constituted by stromal and capillary vascular cells; macroscopically, HBs appear as nodular tumors, with or without cystic components. Although most of the HBs are sporadic (57-75%), they represent a particular component of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), an autosomal dominant syndrome with high penetrance, due to a germline pathogenic mutation in the VHL gene, which is a tumor suppressor with chromosomal location on the short arm of chromosome three. VHL disease determines a variety of malignant and benign tumors, most frequently HBs, renal cell carcinomas, pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and endolymphatic sac tumors. Up to 20% of cases are due to de novo pathogenic variants without a family history. Many epidemiologic details of these tumors, especially the sporadic forms, are not well known. The median age of patients with sporadic HBS is about 40 years. More than two-third of VHL patients develop one or more central nervous system HBs during their lifetime; in case of VHL, patients at first diagnosis are usually younger than the patients with sporadic tumors. The most common presenting signs and symptoms are related to increased intracranial pressure, cerebellar signs, or spinal cord alterations in case of spinal involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for the diagnosis, assessment, and follow-up of HBs, both sporadic and syndrome-related; angiography is rarely performed because the diagnosis is easily obtained with magnetic resonance. However, the diagnosis of an asymptomatic lesion does not automatically result in therapeutic actions, as the risks of treatment and the onset of possible neurological deficit need to be balanced, considering that HBs may remain asymptomatic and have a static or slow-growing behavior. In such cases, regular follow-up can represent a valid therapeutic option until the patients remain asymptomatic. There are no actual pharmacological therapies that are demonstrated to be effective for HBs. Surgery represents the primary therapeutic approach for these tumors. Observation or radiotherapy also plays a role in the long-term management of patients harboring HBs, especially in VHL; in few selected cases, endovascular treatment has been suggested before surgical removal. This chapter presents a systematic overview of epidemiology, clinical appearance, histopathological and neuroradiological characteristics of central nervous system HBs. Moreover, the genetic and molecular biology of sporadic and VHL HBS deserves special attention. Furthermore, we will describe all the available therapeutic options, along with the follow-up management. Finally, we will briefly report other vascular originating tumors as hemangioendotheliomas, hemangiomas, or angiosarcomas.

Supratentorial hemangioblastoma: A rare case report and literature review

Hemangioblastomas are rare and benign tumors of the central nervous system. They account for 1.5%-2.5% of all intracranial tumors and have an incidence of 3.2%. The resemblance of hemangioblastomas to other tumors renders preoperative diagnosis and management challenging. Herein, we report a case of a supratentorial hemangioblastoma accompanied by extensive reactive gliosis and diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, we review the relevant literature.

Hemangioblastoma in the lateral ventricle: An extremely rare case report

Hemangioblastoma (HB) is a benign vascular tumor that accounts for approximately 2% of intracranial neoplasms. HB of the lateral ventricles is extremely rare. Only a few reports are present in the literature. This article reports a 27-year-old male patient who arrived at our hospital because of a progressive headache lasting one month. The brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a solid-cystic mass of 3.5×3.0 cm in size located in the left lateral ventricle, the surgery was performed by applying an interhemispheric approach to single frontal craniotomy with coronal incision to remove the tumor. The postoperative CT and MRI showed the successful complete removal of the tumor and a normal ventricle morphology. The differential diagnosis should be considered in case of intraventricular tumors including HB. Angiography should be performed prior to surgery when HB is suspected.

A Challenge in Diagnosis of Cerebellar Hemangioblastoma

Hemangioblastomas are benign neoplasms, which are highly vascularized and have a slow-growing rate that typically affect the central nervous system; they account for about 1-2.5% of all intracranial tumors and for approximately 2-3% of all intramedullary neoplasms. We present a clinical case of cerebellar hemangioblastoma with six years of evolution, which illustrates the diagnostic difficulties that often arise, especially when the clinical and imaging characteristics escape those usually described and when other clinical findings appear as confounding factors. A 17-year-old female was initially admitted to the emergency department (ED) with a holocranial headache, gait imbalance, and vomiting. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done and a rounded lesion was detected in the left cerebellar hemisphere, hypointense in T1 and hyperintense in T2, with annular contrast enhancement. Several hypotheses for diagnosis were made, and the patient was subjected to several therapies, with periods of remission of symptoms interleaved with periods of worsening. After imaging suggestive of hemangioblastoma on routine brain MRI, the tumor was excised surgically and the histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. In the control brain MRI exams performed six and 24 months after surgery, no evidence of tumor recurrence was detected, and the patient remained asymptomatic. In conclusion, although these are rare neoplasms, it is essential to always consider hemangioblastomas in the differential diagnosis of cases with compatible clinical and radiological findings. A wrong or late diagnosis may lead to the use of unnecessary and harmful therapies as well as the appearance of potentially preventable complications if these tumors are handled correctly and timely.

Preoperative Diagnosis of Suprasellar Hemangioblastoma with Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography: Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose Our case report presents the first case of suprasellar hemangioblastoma diagnosed preoperatively with dynamic computed tomography angiography (four-dimensional [4D] CTA) in a patient without Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. We illustrate the imaging characteristics of these exceedingly rare tumors and discuss the role of 4D CTA in confirming this diagnosis and guiding surgical management. Finally, we present a literature review of imaging findings, differential diagnosis, management, and prognosis.

Case A 39-year-old woman known for diabetes mellitus type II and dyslipidemia presented with headache, bitemporal hemianopsia, and mild hyperprolactinemia. Initial diagnosis of suprasellar meningioma separate from pituitary gland was revised to definitive diagnosis of suprasellar hemangioblastoma after 4D CTA.

Conclusion Suprasellar hemangioblastomas are extremely rare, often associated to VHL disease. They present as enhancing as suprasellar mass with prominent intra- and peritumoral vascular flow-voids on magnetic resonance imaging. 4D CTA confirms their vascular nature, demonstrates characteristic rapid shunting with feeding arteries, and enlarged draining veins, and is important in guiding surgical management.

Sporadic supratentorial hemangioblastoma with meningeal affection: A case report and literature review

Background:

Hemangioblastomas are vascular tumors, of benign behavior, that originate in the central nervous system. Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are extremely rare and are generally associated with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). The involvement of structures by contiguity, such as blood vessels or meninges, is something exceptional. There are few references in the literature of supratentorial hemangioblastomas with meningeal involvement and most of them are described in reports or small case series.

Methods:

We performed a systematic review of the literature to observe the characteristics of patients with supratentorial hemangioblastomas with meningeal involvement. In addition, we present the case of a 43-year-old male patient with a sporadic supratentorial hemangioblastoma with both, meningeal and vascular involvement that recurred years after treatment.

Results:

The patients presented supratentorial tumors with meningeal involvement, we had a 1.2:1 ratio male-female distribution. The mean age was 50 years. Most tumors were located in the cerebral hemispheres, the lobe affected most frequently was the frontal lobe. About 67% of the cases were sporadic and only 21% were related to VHL disease. There were three cases of recurrence after surgery.

Conclusion:

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are extremely rare lesions. It is rare for supratentorial hemangioblastomas to invade adjacent structures such as blood vessels or meninges, however, when this happens, it is recommended a preoperative vascular imaging study, especially in parasagittal hemangioblastomas where superior longitudinal sinus may be involved. In these cases, en bloc surgical resection is difficult and the probability of recurrence is higher. Although clinical trials and studies with a greater casuistry are necessary to establish guidelines for the management of supratentorial hemangioblastomas, nowadays, contribution of new cases is useful for understanding this pathology.

Infundibular hemangioblastoma resection: Video case report

Background:

Hemangioblastomas are benign (World Health Organization Grade I), highly vascular neoplasms commonly associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.[2] The VHL tumor-suppressor gene, located on chromosome 3, is implicated in sporadic cases and cases associated with VHL disease. Hemangioblastomas most commonly arise in the posterior fossa; however, they may also be found supratentorially or within the spinal cord.[3] Surgical intervention is indicated for symptomatic lesions with a goal of complete resection of the enhancing nodule.[1]

Case Description:

We demonstrate the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of multiple hemangioblastomas who had undergone two previous craniotomies and Gamma-Knife radiosurgery (Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lUwsb80NLmIW2Enp-DVdtM9_Oqbid3Ih/view?usp=sharing). He presented with progressive imbalance and diplopia and was found to have a new lesion within the suprasellar cistern. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics were typical of hemangioblastoma. Surgery was determined to be indicated, with a goal of vision preservation. Preoperative embolization was not possible because preoperative DSA demonstrated vascular supply by only small perforators directly from the internal carotid artery. Hypopituitarism was identified preoperatively, although diabetes insipidus was not present. The patient underwent a right orbitozygomatic craniotomy and extradural anterior clinoidectomy for access. The tumor was noted to encapsulate the infundibulum, which necessitated its sacrifice. Postoperatively, the patient remained at his neurologic baseline. He had a positive triphasic diabetes insipidus response and was discharged home on maintenance desmopressin. Postoperative MRI demonstrated complete lesion resection.

The patient gave informed consent for treatment and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary.

Conclusion:

This video highlights a safe and effective surgical technique for suprasellar lesions as well as the complex anatomy observed through an orbitozygomatic approach.

Solid Component Volume as a Proxy to Identify Distinct Hemangioblastoma Populations

BACKGROUND

Posterior fossa hemangioblastomas usually consist of a small solid nodule with a large cyst, while more rarely they present as a large solid mass with a small or absent cyst, which can be surgically challenging. We sought to investigate the potential existence of multiple distinct hemangioblastoma populations using tumor volumetric data as an indicator.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of surgically treated hemangioblastomas between 2005 and 2019 in our unit, including clinical notes, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis of the solid component of the tumor, and pathology. Finite Gaussian mixture modeling was applied on the solid component volume dataset to identify potential underlying Gaussian distributions with their associated characteristics. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests were used to investigate significance of differences (P < 0.05) in solid component volume and different variables (Von Hippel-Lindau disease, extent of resection, outcome).

RESULTS

A total of 68 consecutive patients were included. Solid component volumes followed a multimodal distribution (median = 1287 mm³, interquartile range of 3428 mm³). The best-fit finite Gaussian mixture modeling model identified 3 statistically significant different (P = 0.001) potential mixture components: X₁ (219 ± 187 mm³)_, X₂ (2686 ± 1299 mm³), and X₃ (10,800 ± 5514 mm³). The second-best model detected 2 significantly different (P = 9.99e^-08) mixture components Y₁ (222 ± 189 mm³) and Y₂ (5391 ± 5094 mm³). A significant difference in solid component volume was found between patients with favorable and unfavorable outcome (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown preliminary evidence that large solid hemangioblastomas may constitute a completely distinct population, rather than a variant of one large group of hemangioblastomas.

Sporadic Pituitary Stalk Hemangioblastoma: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas have rarely been described in the literature. Pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas are extremely rare and almost always are associated with von Hippel Lindau disease. Herein, we report a sporadic case of pituitary stalk hemangioblastoma in a 36-year-old male and review the current literature regarding this pathology. In our case, complete resection of the lesion was achieved using the transglabellar approach.

A Large Solitary Hemangioblastoma of the Lateral Ventricles: A Case Report and Literature Review

Hemangioblastoma (HB) in the supratentorial region of the brain is rare and only a few cases are reported on intraventricular HB. HB of the lateral ventricles is even rarer. We present a case of a 30-year-old man with generalized tonic clonic seizures. The brain computed tomography showed a 5.5 cm heterogeneous mass extending into both lateral ventricles with partial enhancement. Based on the size and imaging features, we present the fourth documented case of a large solitary intraventricular HB. Our approach to this unique case and some treatment complexities are also described.

Considering the rarity of the case and the patient’s imaging features, the present study provides a better understanding of HB and recommends HB to be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses in the lateral ventricles. In addition, some preventable pitfalls in the treatment of such complex cases are described.

A Case of Sporadic Suprasellar Hemangioblastoma Mimicking Meningioma

Hemangioblastoma (HBL) in the suprasellar region is very rare and a few cases have been reported. Suprasellar HBL without von Hippel-Lindau disease is much rarer. A 76-year old male patient presented progressively deteriorating visual disturbance. MRI demonstrated solid suprasellar mass of 20 mm in diameter, broadly based to planum sphenoidale and diaphragm sella and dural tail sign after the administration of gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Preoperative diagnosis was meningioma. Total resection of the tumor was not accomplished because of massive hemorrhage, and the histopathologic examination revealed the tumor to be HBL. The visual disturbance of the patient was not improved. The authors reviewed the literature and considered a differential diagnosis of suprasellar tumors and treatment of suprasellar HBL.

Dural-Based Frontal Lobe Hemangioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Hemangioblastomas are benign vascular neoplasms that may be associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. They are more common in men, with a mean age of 36 years, and rarely affect the supratentorial region and, when present in this topography, do not have meningeal impairment. Diagnosis by the radiologic and histopathologic study is difficult, since they are rare and, therefore, forgotten diagnosis, besides they are differential diagnoses with other supratentorial neoplasms.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The present report describes a case of a frontal hemangioblastoma in a 64-year-old woman who presented with seizures. Our imaging studies had as a main hypothesis a frontal meningioma because of dural tail sign, lack of edema, contrast enhancement pattern, and extra-axial location in the supratentorial region, in the frontal lobe, which is uncommon for a hemangioblastoma. The patient underwent microneurosurgery for tumor resection, and the excised tissue was submitted for anatomopathologic evaluation. This study clarified the diagnosis as hemangioblastoma. We followed up the patient at the outpatient clinic for 2 years, with clinical improvement, without tumor recurrence. We also compared the clinical, radiologic, epidemiologic, and anatomopathologic data of the reported case with data from a literature review conducted through the PubMed portal.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive treatment for these lesions is surgical resection. Physicians should be aware that supratentorial meningeal hemangioblastomas can be developed in a patient without von Hippel-Lindau disease and regular follow-up is mandatory.

Sporadic Hemangioblastoma of the Cavernous Sinus and Meckel's Cave

Objectives  To describe an extremely rare case of sporadic hemangioblastoma (HB) within the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave with extension to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern. Methods  A 73-year-old male presented with hearing loss, unilateral ptosis, and facial numbness. Results  The imaging showed a complex cystic-solid mass centered at the left cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave with extension to the CPA cistern. Patient underwent retrosigmoid craniectomy for partial resection of the CPA angle component of the mass. Surgical pathology confirmed the diagnosis of HB and patient was scheduled for subsequent radiotherapy of the residual mass. Conclusions  We present an exceptional case of supratentorial HB without associated von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, which was predominantly located in the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave and led to multiple cranial nerve symptoms. We describe imaging characteristics and radiologic-pathologic correlation of this atypically located HB, which can be difficult to consider in the differential diagnosis presurgically.

Extraneuraxial Hemangioblastoma: Clinicopathologic Features and Review of the Literature

Extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma occurs in nervous paraneuraxial structures, somatic tissues, and visceral organs, as part of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) or in sporadic cases. The VHL gene plausibly plays a key role in the initiation and tumorigenesis of both central nervous system and extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma, therefore, the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms of the tumor growth are initially reviewed. The clinical criteria for the diagnosis of VHLD are summarized, with emphasis on the distinction of sporadic hemangioblastoma from the form fruste of VHLD (eg, hemangioblastoma-only VHLD). The world literature on the topic of extraneuraxial hemangioblastomas has been comprehensively reviewed with ∼200 cases reported to date: up to 140 paraneuraxial, mostly of proximal spinal nerve roots, and 65 peripheral, 15 of soft tissue, 6 peripheral nerve, 5 bone, and 39 of internal viscera, including 26 renal and 13 nonrenal. A handful of possible yet uncertain cases from older literature are not included in this review. The clinicopathologic features of extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma are selectively presented by anatomic site of origin, and the differential diagnosis is emphasized in these subsets. Reference is made also to 10 of the authors' personal cases of extraneuraxial hemangioblastomas, which include 4 paraneuraxial and 6 peripheral (2 soft tissue hemangioblastoma and 4 renal).

Status Epilepticus Secondary to Pseudonodular Hemorragic Occipital Lesion with Edema: "Non Semper Ea Sunt, Quae Videntur, Decipit Frons Prima Multos" (Things Are Not Always What They Seem; The First Appearance Deceives Many)

We report a case in which common radiologic images masked a rare case of supratentorial hemangioblastoma (HBL). Other peculiarities of this case are the clinical presentation with status epilepticus and the occurrence of a supratentorial HBL unrelated to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Based on clinical and radiologic findings, including massive cerebral edema and hemorrhagic presentation, our preoperative diagnosis was a cerebral metastasis. In this scenario, physicians must take into account the words of the Roman fabulist Phaedrus: "Non semper ea sunt, quae videntur, decipit frons prima multos" (things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many).

Sellar Lesions/Pathology

The sellar region is a tiny anatomic compartment in which many lesions and developmental diseases can be found. If pituitary adenomas represent most of the sellar mass, it is important to recognize other pathologic conditions before any surgical procedure, because the optimal treatment may differ considerably from one lesion to another. A careful clinical evaluation followed by neuroimaging studies and an endocrinologic and ophtalmologic workup will lead, in most cases, to a diagnosis with near certainty. This article provides an overview of sellar diseases with emphasis on their most useful characteristics for clinical practice.

Surgical Treatment of Hemangioblastoma in the Pituitary Stalk: An Extremely Rare Case

Hemangioblastoma (HBL) in the pituitary stalk is extremely rare. Only 16 such cases have been reported in the past and 5 cases have been treated with surgical procedure. Here, we report surgical case of HBL in the pituitary stalk diagnosed in a 34-year-old woman. The patient underwent a gross-total resection via the modified lateral supra-orbital approach. No recurrence was observed in two years after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the 17th case of HBL in the pituitary stalk and the 6th surgical case. If the tumor is symptomatic and the volume is over 5 cubic centimeters as in our case, we recommend that the surgical resection of the HBL in the pituitary stalk is a more safe and reasonable than radiotherapy.

Supratentorial haemangioblastoma without von Hippel-Lindau syndrome in an adult: A rare tumor with review of literature

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas (HBLs) are rare, benign vascular tumors of the central nervous system neoplasms. Very scarce literature is available regarding supratentorial HBL without von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome in an adult. We reviewed the literature and PubMed advanced search showed only a few results of supratentorial HBL without VHL syndrome. We reported a rare case of cystic supratentorial HBL in 39-year-old male affecting the parietal lobe without VHL syndrome. Supratentorial HBL is a rare tumor and supratentorial HBL without VHL syndrome are even rarer. Being a rare entity, not much clinical data is currently available regarding supratentorial HBLs, thus necessitating the need for further reporting and review of such cases.

Rathke's cleft cysts in twins with type 2C von Hippel-Lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) is characterized by a spectrum of benign and malignant tumors in the CNS and visceral organs. Rathke's cleft cysts are benign, nonneoplastic sellar lesions that are often asymptomatic. The authors report the case of twin sisters with VHLD Type 2C with radiographically similar sellar lesions. One twin required surgery for progressive visual loss. Pathological examination of resected tissue demonstrated Rathke's cleft cyst.

Meningeal supratentorial hemangioblastoma in a patient with von hippel-lindau disease mimicking angioblastic menigioma

Hemangioblastomas are sporadic tumors found in the cerebellum or spinal cord. Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are rare, and those with meningeal involvement are extremely rare and have been reported in only approximately 130 patients. Here, we report the case of a 51-year-old female patient with supratentorial meningeal hemangioblastoma detected 5 years after surgical resection of an infratentorial hemangioblastoma associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome are at risk for developing multiple hemangioblastomas, with new tumor formation and growth and possible meningeal infiltration. Regular lifelong follow-up in at-risk patients is recommended and should include the differential diagnosis of dural-based tumors such as angioblastic meningioma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas: three case reports and review of the literature

Hemangioblastoma (HBL) within the central nervous system is a benign vascular neoplasm that usually occurs in the cerebellum. Supratentorial occurrence of HBL is an extremely rare event. Till date, approximately 129 cases of supratentorial HBL have been reported in the literature. Here, we present three new cases of supratentorial hemangioblatomas, one of which was found to have the lesions in a unique location of the choroidal fissure. The clinical, histopathological, and neuroradiological characteristics, as well as management of this rare disease are discussed with a review of the pertinent literature.