Giant ependymal cyst of the temporal horn -- an unusual presentation. Case report with review of the literature.

Primary benign cystic lesions in the brain are uncommon. However, extracerebral cysts like arachnoid cyst, epidermoid cyst and craniopharyngiomas are fairly common lesions. Also, colloid cyst in the third ventricle, dermoid cyst and endodermal cyst in the extracerebral location are not uncommon. On the contrary, intraventricular ependymal and choroidal cysts in the intraventricular location are infrequent. Surgical intervention is warranted in cysts, which produce a mass effect and raised intracranial pressure. We present an interesting case of a giant intraventricular ependymal cyst in the temporal horn in a 14-year-old boy, who presented with recent onset of headaches and epilepsy. He also had long-standing progressive proptosis of the left eye and left temporal bossing. Excision of this cystic lesion was curative. Interesting clinical and neuroimaging features are presented. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel