Lipomatous glioneurocytoma of the posterior fossa with divergent differentiation: case report.

Abstract

We report a case of a posterior fossa neuroepithelial tumor with unusual clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging appearance, and morphological features. This 66-year-old man presented with a history of gait ataxia, dizziness, and tinnitus and was found to have a large tumor in the posterior fossa and cerebellopontine angle. Gross total excision of the tumor was accomplished. Histologically, the most unique features were macrovesicular accumulations of lipid, giving the tumor (at least focally) an appearance virtually identical to that of mature adipose tissue. Evidence of biphasic neuronal and glial differentiation was noted by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. A literature review is presented. Diagnostically, this neoplasm seems to fit in a unique group of rarely described, lipomatous neuroectodermal tumors that show divergent neuronal and glial differentiation.