Myofibroblastoma in the suprasellar region. Case report

J Neurosurg. 2002 Nov;97(5):1203-7. doi: 10.3171/jns.2002.97.5.1203.

Abstract

Myofibroblastoma is a rare type of benign mesenchymal tumor; only two cases of intracranial myofibroblastoma have been reported in the literature. The authors report on the case of a 34-year-old woman with a myofibroblastoma in the suprasellar region who presented with the complaint of sudden onset of headache followed within 2 weeks by progressively worsening visual disturbance. Computerized tomography scanning demonstrated a mixed low- and high-density mass in the suprasellar region and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed the mass to be of mixed intensity with heterogeneous enhancement. The tumor was subtotally removed via a right frontobasal translamina-terminalis approach and her vision improved immediately. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by alternating areas of spindle-shaped and round cells that were separated by collagen fibers. The diagnosis of myofibroblastoma was based on the tumor's intense immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth-muscle actin and the ultrastructural identification of myofibroblasts. The tumor was thought to have originated from the meninges in the suprasellar region.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Leiomyoma / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / surgery
  • Sella Turcica
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed