Ventricular ganglioneuroblastoma in an adult and successful treatment with radiotherapy

Abstract

Background: Ganglioneuroblastomas (GNBs) are rare embryonic neoplasms in the spectrum of neuroblastic tumours and 80% of cases occur in the first decade. In adults, GNBs are usually located in the retroperitoneum, mediastinum and neck but intracranial GNBs are ex- tremely rare. Case Report: A 34-year-old male applied to the Department of Neu- rology outpatient clinic with a two month history of headache and numbness in his legs. Detailed examinations and cranial CT were per- formed and showed a mass with a 5 cm diameter running from the third to the fourth ventricle. Referral to a neurosurgeon was performed for partial removal of the tumour, as the histological and immunohis- tochemical studies defined the diagnosis of GNB. Three months later, when the patient experienced dizziness, an MRI was performed, which showed a 4x3 cm ventricular mass, with hypointense characterisation in T1-weighted and hyperintense characteristics in T2-weighted and flair sequences. Afterwards, fractioned radiotherapy (54 Gy/30 fx) was chosen as the appropriate therapy. In the follow-up period, MRI was performed 3 months and 1 year after treatment, and revealed shrinkage of the tumour by at least 50%. Meanwhile the patient s post-irradiation course was favourable. Conclusion: Data following the use of radiotherapy as treatment for intracranial GNB showing favourable results has been reported.