Abstract
Introduction: Primary intracranial teratoma is a subtype of germ cell tumors, classified into
three subtypes. They occur very rarely, with only several reported individual cases
in adults.
Case Description We present a patient with an intermittent headache in the right frontal region. Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right sided high frontal parasagittal mass that
compressed the falx, the right lateral ventricle, as well as the brain parenchyma.
Patient underwent surgical treatment. Histopathological analysis described mature
teratoma. Four months after the surgical treatment there were no signs of residual
intracranial mass or relapse.
Discussion Primary intracranial teratoma in adults has a nonspecific clinical presentation.
MRI reveals a solitary irregular mass with multilocularity and mixed signals derived
from different tissues. The patients age, biochemical markers, and patohistological
analysis are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Conclusion Teratoma treatment strategy still remains controversial. It includes radical resection
whenever possible. Since the residual portion of mature teratoma may contain part
of immature or malignant tissue, tumor recurrence after surgical removal is possible.
Also, new tumor mass could occur at other sites intracranial after the initial one
was removed. Thus, although patients usually recover, they should be followed-up for
a long period of time.
Keywords
mature teratoma - adult - intracranial teratoma
