Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor in pregnancy.

Abstract

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor is a rare, low-grade brain tumor that is characterized by intractable, partial seizures of juvenile onset. A 36-year-old pregnant woman with dichorionic, diamniotic twins temporarily lost consciousness at 27 weeks of gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation showed a 3-cm multicystic nodule in her right temporal lobe that was diagnosed, together with her history of recurrent anxiety attacks, as dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor. The lesion did not enlarge during pregnancy, and healthy male infants were delivered by cesarean at 36 weeks. The tumor was successfully removed 2 months postpartum, and the patient has experienced no further seizures. Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor was conservatively managed during pregnancy without neurosurgical intervention.