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Case Reports
. 2022 Jan 24;14(1):e21562.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.21562. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuraxis in the Posterior Fossa: A Case Report and Literature Review

Colin A Dallimore  1 , Mica Quelle  2 , Likowsky L Désir  3 , Sunder Sham  4 , Manju Harshan  4 , Samuel J Wahl  4 , Avraham Zlochower  5 , Robert R Goodman  6 , David J Langer  6 , Randy S D'Amico  6
Affiliations
Case Reports

Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuraxis in the Posterior Fossa: A Case Report and Literature Review

Colin A Dallimore et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis are rare fibro-osseous lesions that can occur throughout the central nervous system. This paper reports one case of this lesion within the posterior fossa and contains a literature review of all cases documented within the posterior fossa to date. A 53-year-old female patient with a history of epiphora, facial irritation, and headaches was found to have a mass centered in the posterior fossa. The patient underwent surgical resection for removal of the mass. Upon review by pathology, the final diagnosis was consistent with calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis.

Keywords: calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis; capnon; central nervous system; posterior fossa; rare.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preoperative imaging of a right posterior fossa calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON).
Axial T2 (A), T1 (B), and GRE (C)-weighted MRI of the brain demonstrates a predominantly T1 and T2 hypointense extra-axial mass centered in the posterior fossa on the right at the level of the lateral cerebellomedullary cistern. There is mass effect and T2 hyperintensity in the medulla compatible with vasogenic edema (arrow, A). There is blooming artifact on GRE (C) compatible with calcification. Axial (D) and coronal (E) post contrast T1-weighted images demonstrate heterogenous enhancement. Axial non-contrast CT head demonstrates a predominantly calcified mass centered in the posterior fossa in the right lateral cerebellomedullary cistern (F). GRE: gradient recalled echo
Figure 2
Figure 2. Histology of a right posterior fossa calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON).
Extensive calcifications with proliferation of spindle cells, H&E, 10× (A). Spindle cells, H&E, 40× (B). H&E: hematoxylin and eosin
Figure 3
Figure 3. Postoperative imaging of a right posterior fossa calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON).
MRI - axial t2 (A) and axial t1 (B) status post-right suboccipital craniectomy with post-surgical changes in right cerebellar hemisphere. No evidence of residual posterior fossa mass. No evidence of residual enhancing mass.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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