Massive intratumoral hemorrhage of ependymoma of the fourth ventricle.

INTRODUCTION

Ependymomas of the fourth ventricle usually show slowly progressive neurological deterioration and acute onset resulting from major intratumoral bleeding is very rare.

CASE REPORT

A 16-month-old girl, previously in good health, showed gradual gait disturbance and appetite loss. She was transferred to our hospital because of a large enhanced tumor of the fourth ventricle with mild hydrocephalus. She suddenly lost consciousness on the next day. A computed tomography showed massive intratumoral hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. Emergency tumor removal was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was ependymoma.

DISCUSSION

We speculated the mechanism of intratumoral hemorrhage in posterior fossa ependymomas.