Giant cell ependymoma: A case report

Ependymomas account for 3–9% of all neuroepithelial tumors. A peculiar variant of ependymoma known as “giant cell ependymoma” (“GCE”) is especially rarely reported, it may pose some difficulties for the diagnosing neuropathologist. Here we present a case of a giant cell ependymoma occuring in a 17-year-old patient with the history of 2-year recurrent headaches and a 1-month history of vision impairment. CT scanning demonstrated a mass in the left occipital lobe, arising from the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings were consistent with high-grade ependymoma. Especially striking was the presence of bizzare pleomorphic giant cells which predominated in the tumor tissue. As a result the diagnosis of GCE was established. This type of neoplasm necessitates, at least in theory, differentiation with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, clear cell ependymoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, giant cell glioblastoma, and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. To date giant cell ependymomas (GCEs) were reported in seven cases in the literature. To the best of our knowledge this is the 8th case in the literature. In spite of apparently “worrisome” histology GCE seems to be a neoplasm with a relatively good prognosis.