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Case Reports
. 2016 Jul 7;7(Suppl 17):S481-4.
doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.185782. eCollection 2016.

Adult medulloblastoma: A rare case report and literature review

Affiliations
Case Reports

Adult medulloblastoma: A rare case report and literature review

Ahmad Faried et al. Surg Neurol Int. .

Abstract

Background: Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant embryonal tumor which commonly arises in the cerebellum. It is relatively rare and accounts for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors. The tumor primarily occurs in childhood; however, rarely, it may be found in adult population. In addition, medulloblastoma in adult population shows features which are quite distinct from the pediatric group.

Case description: We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented to our institution with a history of blurred vision of both eyes for 5 months preceded by intermittent headache since the previous year. Preoperative investigation suggested a posterior fossa mass and we suspected an ependymoma. The patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt and craniotomy tumor removal, followed by radiotherapy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination were performed, and the results showed a diagnosis of medulloblastoma.

Conclusion: This case is exceptional because adult medulloblastoma occurrence in our center is extremely rare, and the diagnosis can only be established through histopathological and immunohistochemical studies.

Keywords: A rare case of adult medulloblastoma; fossa posterior brain tumor; immunohistochemical studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Magnetic resonance imaging of the head without contrast (a) and with contrast was performed (b), which showed a posterior fossa mass that enhanced inhomogenously, as well as noncommunicating hydrocephalus
Figure 2
Figure 2
The tumor had been treated with prone position (a), skin incision line (b), surgical view (c) and gross-total surgical excision (d) Craniotomy Tumor Removal Transvermian
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histological examination, magnification 100× (a) and 200× (b) shows carrot-shaped cell with polimorfic hyperchromatic nuclei and Homer Wright Rossetes appearance as patognomonic sign for medulloblastoma
Figure 4
Figure 4
Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted and the result showed that the tumor is positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, synaptophysin, and smooth muscle actin (a-c), whereas negative for cytokeratin, desmin, and epithelial membrane antigen (d, from upper, middle, and lower figures, respectively)

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