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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan 15;17(1):e77470.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.77470. eCollection 2025 Jan.

A Young Adult With Persistent Headache: A Case of Central Neurocytoma

Mohammed A Johar  1 , Amal R Dhaif  2 , Alaa K Mahdi  3 , Shaimaa H Banaji  4 , Anas Ahmed  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Young Adult With Persistent Headache: A Case of Central Neurocytoma

Mohammed A Johar et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Central neurocytomas are rare, typically benign neuronal tumors that primarily affect young adults and are most commonly located within the lateral ventricles. This report presents the case of a 23-year-old male who presented with a two-month history of progressive headache, nausea, vomiting, and cognitive decline. Neurological examination revealed papilledema, indicative of increased intracranial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated a well-defined, partially calcified intraventricular lesion with associated obstructive hydrocephalus. Histopathological analysis following a stereotactic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of central neurocytoma, with immunohistochemistry showing positivity for synaptophysin and neuronal nuclear antigen. The patient underwent a successful gross total resection of the tumor, and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed complete removal with no residual disease. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he remains asymptomatic at six months post-surgery with no evidence of recurrence. This case underscores the importance of early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely surgical intervention in the management of central neurocytomas. Additionally, it highlights the favorable prognosis associated with gross total resection, although long-term surveillance remains essential to detect any recurrence.

Keywords: central neurocytoma; gross total resection; histopathology; intraventricular tumor; obstructive hydrocephalus; synaptophysin; young adult.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Axial MRI images of the brain
Selected axial MRI images of the brain: FLAIR (A), T1-weighted (B), post-contrast T1-weighted (C), and DWI (D). The images reveal an ill-defined lesion (arrow) within the right lateral ventricle, centered on the septum pellucidum, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; DWI, diffusion-weighted imaging
Figure 2
Figure 2. CT image of the brain
Axial CT image of the brain demonstrating a slightly hyperdense lesion (arrow) within the right lateral ventricle with associated hydrocephalus. CT, computed tomography
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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