Rare giant cell ependymoma in an octogenarian. Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Ependymomas are glial tumors that occur most often in children. In adults, ependymomas most often appear in the spinal cord. The World Health Organization recognizes several rare ependymoma subtypes, including the giant cell ependymoma of the terminal filum. The authors describe an unusual case of a posterior fossa giant cell ependymoma in an 89-year-old man presenting with vertigo and disequilibrium. Only seven cases of this tumor have been reported in the literature to date. The authors discuss the clinical presentation, radiological findings, pathological considerations, and surgical intervention in this patient and review the relevant literature.