Hemangioblastoma in the cerebellar vermis: a case report.

BACKGROUND

The cytologic characteristics of hemangioblastoma have not been well described, although hemangioblastoma is a common primary neoplasm in the cerebellar vermis, and its histologic feature is well known.

CASE

Hemangioblastoma was found in the cerebellar vermis of a 47-year-old male. Stamp specimens, made from the cut surface of a solid, yellow-tan tumor, showed many foamy cells considered to be stromal cells and capillaries in a hemorrhagic background. The stromal cells had round or oval nuclei with relatively fine chromatin and lacelike or granular, often vacuolated cytoplasm slightly stained light green. The stromal cells tended to gather around capillaries.

CONCLUSION

Distinguishing stromal cells from astrocytes or histiocytes was difficult in this case. Good knowledge of the cytologic characteristics, along with the clinical findings, seems necessary for an accurate diagnosis.