Primary Intracranial Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Skull Base Complicated with Tension Pneumocephalus after Radiotherapy
-
- KAMBE Atsushi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
-
- NAKAJIMA Sadao
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
-
- FUKUSHIMA Kei
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Fukuyama Medical Center, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan
-
- MIZUSHIMA Minoru
- Department of Neurosurgery, Matsue Seikyo General Hospital, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
-
- SAKAMOTO Makoto
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
-
- HORIE Yasushi
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
-
- KUROSAKI Masamichi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
Search this article
Description
<p>Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are neoplasms that originate from cells of the endocrine and nervous systems, and are commonly found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Primary intracranial NETs are extremely rare and have been the focus of only a few studies thus far. Herein, we report the case of a primary intracranial NET of the skull base complicated with tension pneumocephalus after radiotherapy. An 84-year-old woman visited a local hospital for a head injury, and CT revealed a skull base tumor. MRI showed that the tumor was located mainly on the clivus and extended into the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. We biopsied the tumor via the nasal cavity, and the pathological diagnosis was NET, WHO grade 2. We subsequently administered focal intensity-modulated radiation therapy, but the patient developed tension pneumocephalus 1 year after radiotherapy. We therefore performed endoscopic transnasal cerebrospinal fluid leak closure with a nasoseptal flap. The postoperative course was successful, and the patient returned home but died of an unknown cause 2 years after discharge. The optimal postoperative management of primary intracranial NETs remains controversial. Tension pneumocephalus related to radiotherapy is a rare complication. Assessing skull bone erosion before radiotherapy and performing regular radiological follow-up examinations are essential to prevent this rare complication.</p>
Journal
-
- NMC Case Report Journal
-
NMC Case Report Journal 8 (1), 609-615, 2021
The Japan Neurosurgical Society