Brain Tumor Res Treat.  2013 Oct;1(2):95-98. 10.14791/btrt.2013.1.2.95.

Hemangiopericytoma of the Posterior Fossa: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Seo I
• Kim YS
• Kim HS
• Kim JH
• Lee MK

• KMID: 2048482
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14791/btrt.2013.1.2.95

Abstract

Intracranial hemangiopericytoma is unusual, and those occurring in the posterior fossa is extremely rare; we report such a rare case of hemangiopericytoma of the posterior fossa. The radiologic findings and gross characteristics of hemangiopericytomas are sometimes quite similar to those of meningiomas. Although extremely rare, the operator should be aware of the existence of this disorder to dexterously manage the aggressive nature and high vascular tendency of hemangiopericytomas. The radiological features and histological findings in this case are discussed in this study.

Keyword

Hemangiopericytoma; Posterior fossa; Meningioma

MeSH Terms

Hemangiopericytoma*
Meningioma

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Pre-operative axial T1 (A) and T2 (B) magnetic resonance images show a tumor mass in the left cerebellum compressing the 4th ventricle with surrounding edema. Gd-enhanced T1 axial (C) and coronal (D) images reveal a well-enhancing lesion with dural attachment adjacent to the junction of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses.

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  Fig. 2 A photomicrograph of the tumor specimen shows vascular space surrounded by proliferating oval to spindle-shaped pericytes (A) (hematoxylin and eosin stain; ×400), prominent vasculature (B) (hematoxylin and eosin stain; ×100) represented by staghorn pattern (arrow) and tumor cells strongly expressing CD-34 (C) (immunohistochemistry; ×200).

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  Fig. 3 Post-operative axial T1 (A) and coronal T1 (B) magnetic resonance images taken within two weeks of the surgery show the resection cavity with residual tumor tissue adherent to the transverse sinus.

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