Benign, encapsulated tumors in the lateral ventricles of the brain : diagnosis and treatment / by Walter E. Dandy.

  • Walter Dandy
Date:
1934
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Benign, encapsulated tumors in the lateral ventricles of the brain : diagnosis and treatment / by Walter E. Dandy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    1SI are unlike any other tumor in t his series, but are, I think, identi¬ cal with two tumors of the third ventricle recently reported (Cases VI and VI1 of (iron]) II).' But here again the gross appearance of this tumor has no resemblance whatever to those in the third ventricle (one really had its point of origin in the septum pellucidum and projected into the third ventricle). Both of the latter tumors were hard and encapsulated, the former soft and papillomatous. In none of the three tumors has there been any reason to think there might be metastases. One patient is well two years after removal of the tumor. Examination of the brains post-mortem in the other two cases (autopsies were restricted to the head) revealed no other nodules. Dr. Arnold Rich, to whom 1 have referred these and other tumors of the series for expert opinion, has not seen cells of this character in other tumors of the brain or elsewhere. Since they are unlike adult cells lining the ventricles or choroid plexus, they must represent their cellular antecedents and be classified among the tumors arising from embryonal cells. The tend¬ ency to syncytial masses and giant cells perhaps also supports such an assumption. The excentricallv placed nuclei, so similar in each specimen, suggests but does not prove a rela¬ tionship to the adult ependymal cells which are so character¬ ized. Their ventricular attachment being at a distance from the choroid plexus in two cases would lend support to the impression that the cells are of ependymal and not of plexus origin. It is worthy of note that occasional strands of glial fibers are visible in the sections. The remaining tumors I, II, IV, V, VII and XIY (III and VI h ave no microscopic examinations) would appear to fall more or less together. When the cytological composion of these tumors is matched with the gross appearance, one must confess a feeling of surprise to find, not an epithelial but a fibrous structure. This would not be so disturbing in the 1 Benign Tumors in tlie Third Ventricle of I lie Brain; Diagnosis and Treatment. Published by Charles ( '. Thomas, lO.'IS.