Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2015 , Vol 25 , Num 3
Primary Lymphomas of the Brain Stem: A Case Report
Abdulfettah TÜMTÜRK1, Halil ULUTABANCA1, Şükrü ORAL3, Olgun KONTAŞ2, Ali KURTSOY1
1Erciyes Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Kayseri, Türkiye
2Erciyes Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Patoloji Anabilim Dalı, Kayseri, Türkiye
3Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, Kayseri, Türkiye
Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL’s) are rare tumors that comprise 5% of all primary brain tumors. Most PCNSL are of B-cell origin, and only 1 to 3.6% have a T-cell phenotype. PLCNS are usually supratentorial. The typical presentation is solitary or multiple mass lesions adjacent to the ventricles. Localization primarily in the brain stem and occurs in 3% of PCNSL. PCNSLs are most commonly confused with high-grade glial tumors and metastasis. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is insuff icient in providing the diff erential diagnosis though there are specific findings. The use of advanced MRI techniques is therefore mandatory in the diff erential diagnosis of PCNSL from other tumors. However, imaging features of PCNSL may overlap with other tumors, which makes definitive diagnosis challenging. Ultimately, when no imaging method can definitively diagnose PCNSL, surgical resection or biopsy may be an alternative for the diff erential diagnosis. Anahtar Kelimeler : PCNSL, Brain stem, Diff erential diagnosis