Multiple neuroenteric cysts at cerebello-pontine angle and foramen magnum: a case report and review of the literature

Neurenteric cyst of the temporal bone: A case report

Neurenteric cysts are rare, developmental malformations mainly found in the spinal canal. The authors report on a 29-year-old woman who presented with congenital left-sided hearing loss and a 9 days history of left ear pain and facial weakness (House–Brackmann IV). Radiological examination revealed a complex 7 mm cystic structure involving the petrous and mastoid portions of the left temporal bone. Intraoperatively, a red-brown multicystic mass was discovered and excised completely. Histologic findings showed simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells and bilayers of submucosal musculature, resembling normal intestinal linings. Post resection, the patient regained nearly full facial nerve capabilities (House–Brackmann II) with complete resolution of pain, but no changes to her hearing. The objectives of this case report are to describe the clinical, radiologic, intraoperative, and pathologic characteristics of an extradural temporal neurenteric cyst with sensorineural deficits to contribute to the growing knowledge regarding this rare entity.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from a residual supratentorial neurenteric cyst and expressing mutated KRAS: a case report

Malignant transformation of intracranial neurenteric cysts (NCs) has been reported in only 7 cases, but the molecular characteristics leading to malignant transformation remain unclear. A 61-year-old woman presented with headache and dizziness. Imaging revealed a 10-cm, extra-axial cystic mass in both middle fossae. A partial resection was performed, and the residual mass size gradually decreased. She had repeated ventriculoperitoneal shunts to relieve symptoms of hydrocephalus. Eight years later, follow-up images revealed marked enlargement of the mass and a newly developed lesion. After a second partial resection, a mucinous adenocarcinoma infiltrating the brain was identified. Transitions from benign-looking cuboidal cells to dysplastic cells were observed. A KRAS mutation, which might be associated with malignant NC transformation and was not present in the initial specimen, was identified in the adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, KRAS-mutant mucinous adenocarcinoma may arise in a longstanding residual NC after partial resection.