Intrauterine brain teratoma: a case report of imaging (US, MRI) with neuropathologic correlations

Intracranial fetal teratoma: Case report and literature review

Fetal intracranial tumors are rare. Teratoma is the most common subtype, and it is particularly associated with poor prognosis. This article describes a case of fetal intracranial teratoma diagnosed at 31 + 6 weeks by ultrasound detection of macrocephaly and brain distortion. Due to the poor prognosis and after the advice of obstetricians and neonatologists, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy. Feticide and cesarean section were performed under general anesthesia with difficult fetal extraction requiring cephalocentesis. In addition to the presentation of the case, a review of the cases published in the literature in the last 42 years was carried out. Together with two of our own cases, a total of 81 cases of intracranial fetal teratoma were collected. A statistical analysis was carried out with the different variables collected, the results of which could help clinicians when informing patients with pregnancies complicated by this type of tumor.

Prenatally Diagnosed Aggressive Intracranial Immature Teratoma-Clinicopathological Correlation

OBJECTIVE

To describe clinicopathological correlation of congenital intracranial immature teratoma.

METHODS

A retrospective case analysis from a tertiary medical center.

RESULTS

We report a case of an intracranial immature teratoma detected prenatally at 35 weeks of gestation. The tumor showed rapid growth, causing acute hydrocephalus requiring subsequent ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Resective surgery was performed within 2 weeks after birth. The infant died at day of life 29. Histological examination revealed an immature teratoma, with high MIB1/Ki-67 proliferation index.

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS

Intracranial immature teratoma with high MIB1/Ki-67 proliferation index may serve as an independent poor prognostic factor.

A rare immature teratoma of the tela chorioidea of the third ventricle: late-onset, intrapartum ultrasound diagnosis and postnatal outcome

We describe a previously unreported case of immature teratoma originating from the tela chorioidea of the third ventricle diagnosed during labor at term of pregnancy. Postnatal MR imaging and pediatric neurosurgery with postnatal outcome at 6 months of age are reported.

Semiquantitative histopathology and 3D magnetic resonance microscopy as collaborative platforms for tissue identification and comparison within teratomas derived from pedigreed primate embryonic stem cells

Teratoma formation in xenografts is a sufficiently stringent pluripotency assay for stem cells. However, little is known about the composition and spatial relationships of tissues within teratomas that may provide clues about development and platforms for studying organ development. Additionally, teratoma formation and analysis lack standards for reporting as assays of pluripotency. Three of 27 total teratomas derived from pedigreed primate embryonic stem cells underwent quantitative three-dimensional high-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM). Teratomas were subsequently serially sectioned and tissue types identified, semiquantitated, and correlated with MRM images. All teratomas demonstrated tissue derivatives from the three germ layers and approximately 23 different tissue types were identified. Certain tissue groups attempted to form organs more frequently (e.g., trachea/bronchi, small intestine). MRM discriminated some tissues readily (e.g., bone, adipose, cartilage) while other tissue types with like MR intensities could not be distinguished. Semiquantitative histopathological analysis of teratomas demonstrates the ability to delineate multiple tissues as derived from ectoderm, mesoderm, or endoderm and to use this information for comparison to other teratomas. MRM provides rapid quantitative imaging of intact teratomas that complements histology and identifies sites of interest for additional biological studies.

Early second-trimester diagnosis of intracranial teratoma

Congenital brain tumors are rare and, whether diagnosed prenatally or postnatally, the most frequent type is teratoma. Prenatal diagnosis relies on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging, and is usually achieved during the second or third trimester. We report a case of an intracranial tumor diagnosed in the early second trimester. The diagnosis had been suspected at first-trimester routine sonography, which showed a compressive intracranial mass with mild vascularization. Because of the poor prognosis, termination of pregnancy was discussed with the parents and was carried out at 14 weeks of gestation. Postmortem examination provided a diagnosis of right frontal immature teratoma.

Fetal intracranial tumors: a review of 27 cases

Fetal intracranial tumors are rare. The diagnosis is generally made on histology after birth. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and imaging data in a series of fetal intracranial tumors and emphasize the findings that may help approach the diagnosis antenatally. We retrospectively analyzed imaging and clinical findings in 27 cases of fetal intracranial tumors assessed by ultrasound (27/27) and MR imaging (24/27). A histological diagnosis was always obtained. Main diagnoses included 15 germinal tumors (13 teratomas), 4 glial tumors, 2 craniopharyngiomas and 3 hamartomas. Average gestational age at diagnosis was 27 weeks for teratomas, 21 weeks for hamartomas and 34 weeks for glial tumors. All tumors but one were supra tentorial, and the lesion extended in the posterior fossa in two teratomas. A heterogeneous pattern, which was more frequently seen in teratomas, was better visualized by MR than US imaging. In addition, in two cases of teratomas, MR imaging better assessed the extension of the tumor. Teratomas and gliomas are the most frequent brain tumors in the fetus. US and MR imagings appear complementary in the prenatal assessment of these lesions.

Congenital intracranial teratoma with massive macrocephaly and skull rupture

OBJECTIVE

Congenital intracranial tumors are rare and only account for 0.5-1.5% of all pediatric brain tumors. Teratoma is the most frequently encountered intracranial tumor at birth. Massive congenital intracranial teratoma is an extremely rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis. They grow rapidly and cause extensive destruction in the brain. Herein we report a massive intracranial teratoma causing skull rupture.

CASE REPORT

A fetus with a congenital intracranial teratoma presenting with a disproportionately enlarged head at 25 weeks of gestation is presented. Since it was the first admission of the mother to a medical expert for a prenatal examination, there was noprevious follow-up data. Prenatal ultrasonography demonstrated a huge, heterogeneous intracranial mass, and midline structures and ventricles could not be observed. No heartbeat was detected. Autopsy was perforated, and histopathologic examination of the samples taken from the intracranial mass revealed an immature teratoma.

CONCLUSION

Although congenital intracranial teratomas are rare, they may reach enormous sizes. Regular follow-up of the fetus may lead to early diagnosis of immature intracranial teratomas and prevent the mother from having further complications either due to intrauterine fetal death orpsychological trauma of giving birth to a heavily malformed baby.

MR imaging of brain maturation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging tool of choice to evaluate brain maturation and especially brain myelination. Magnetic resonance imaging also provides functional insight through diffusion images and proton spectroscopy. In this review the MRI techniques are analyzed for both pre- and postnatal periods. The origin of MR signal changes is also detailed in order to understand normal myelination evolution and the consequences on brain maturation of the different pathologies encountered prior and after birth. Because MRI is "blind" in terms of signal on conventional sequences after 2 years of age, a particular attention is given to diffusion images and proton spectroscopy of the developing brain.

Congenital pineoblastoma and parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: concurrent two embryonal tumors in a young infant

BACKGROUND

Pineoblastomas are very rare brain tumors in fetus and neonates, comprising only 0.9% of congenital brain tumors. The occurrence of multiple tumors of different histopathologic types in the same individual is a rare event, most often encountered in hereditary cancer syndromes.

CASE REPORT

We report a female fetus presented with a congenital pineoblastoma at the 32nd week of gestation, with hydrocephalus and concurrent parameningeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in early infancy.

RESULTS

Cytogenetic analysis showed normal karyotype in the peripheral blood of the patient, and p53 mutational analysis revealed no germ line mutations.

DISCUSSION

This is the first case with concurrent congenital pineoblastoma and parameningeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in early infancy. We suggest that concurrence of these tumors could be due to mutations in other tumor suppressor genes or secondary to exposure to unknown in utero factors.

Endoscopic biopsy interpretation difficulties in a congenital diffuse intracranial teratoma

INTRODUCTION

Congenital brain tumours are a rare entity that is nowadays often already recognised during pregnancy by ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR). Even though the definitive diagnosis is usually achieved by means of histological studies, in some cases the diagnosis may remain uncertain because of the malformative origin of this type of tumour.

CASE REPORT

We describe a patient with a diffuse congenital intracranial mass diagnosed by intrauterine US and foetal MR performed to further evaluate the lesion and the associated foetal hydrocephalus. After delivery by caesarean section, an endoscopic biopsy was performed. Several specimens were obtained and resulted in the diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET). Despite polychemotherapy, the tumour continued to enlarge and the patient died at 2 months of age. Post-mortem histological examination of the intracranial mass showed a diffuse intracranial teratoma.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic biopsy specimen examination resulted in a diagnosis that was not confirmed by post-mortem findings. The scarce differentiation of teratoma components and their high variability in histomorphology as well as the huge size of the tumoral mass may limit the interpretation of endoscopic biopsy specimens, even when multiple and obtained from different areas.