Skip to main content
Log in

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Infundibular–Hypothalamic Region: Case Report and Literature Review

  • Published:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an uncommon vascular neoplasm. Its intracranial occurrence is rare, and the literature review revealed only 23 cases (14 adults and 9 children). To our knowledge, this is the first case of EHE arising in the infundibular–hypothalamic region. A 53-year-old man presented with headaches and loss of libido. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a supra-sellar mass, which homogeneously absorbed the contrast agent. A trans-sphenoidal craniotomy and a biopsy were performed. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered due to intolerance to interferon. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a hemorrhagic tumor. Total resection is mandatory where possible, otherwise radiotherapy seems necessary. The prognosis of intracranial location has not yet been well defined, despite the favorable outcome noted in the majority of cases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Weiss SW, Enzinger FM: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a vascular tumor often mistaken for a carcinoma. Cancer 50: 970–981, 1982

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Enzinger FM, Weiss SW: Hemangioendothelioma: vascular tumors of intermediate malignancy. In: Enzinger FM, Weiss SW (eds) Soft Tissue Tumors, St. Louis C.V. Mosby, 1995, pp. 625–640

  3. Ellis TS, Schwartz A, Starr JK, Riedel CJ: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the lumbar vertebral column: case report and review of literature. Neurosurgery 38: 402–407, 1996

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Eliashar R, Saah D, Osin P, Sichel, J: Hemangioendothelioma of the temporal bone in a child. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 40: 67–71, 1997

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Chan YL, Ng HK, Poon WS, Cheung HS: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the brain: a case report. Neuroradiology 43: 848–850, 2001

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chow L, Chow W, Fong DT: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the brain. Am J Surg Pathol 16: 619–625, 1992

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Fryer JA, Biggs MT, Katz IA, Brazier DH, Shakespeare TP: Intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma arising at site of previously excised atypical meningioma. Pathology 30: 95–99, 1998

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Nora FE, Schelthauer BW: Primary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the brain. Am J Surg Pathol 20: 707–714, 1996

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Drut R, Sapia S, Gril D, Velasco JC, Drut RM: Nonimmune hydrops fetalis, hydramnios, microcephaly and intracranial meningeal hemangioendothelioma. Pediatr Pathol 13: 9–13, 1993

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Phookan G, Davis A, Holmes B: Hemangioendothelioma of the cavernous sinus: case report. Neurosurgery 42: 1153–1156, 1998

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Rushing EJ, White JA, D'Alise MD, Chason DP, White CL III, Bigio EH: Primary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the clivus. Clin Neuropathol 17: 110–114, 1998

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Aznar AO, Vidal FR, Mendez EV, de Grassa BI: Intracrânien hemangioendothelioma. Int J Neuroradiol 4: 366–372, 1998

    Google Scholar 

  13. Palmieri G, Montella L, Martignetti A, Bianco AR: Interferon alpha-2b at low doses as long-term antiangiogenesis treatment of a metastatic intracranial hemangioendothelioma: a case report. Oncol Rep 7: 145–149, 2000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rath S, Mohanty B, Syasamal BC: Cerebral Hemangioendothelioma. J Indian Med Assoc 54: 372–373, 1970

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Tammam AG, Lewis PD, Crockard HA: Cerebello pontine angle epithelioid hemangioendothelioma in a 4-year-old boy. Childs Nerv Syst 13: 648–650, 1997

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tancredi A, Puca A, Carbone A: Multifocal cerebral hemangioendothelioma. Case report and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir 142: 1157–1161, 2000

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hodaie M, Becker L, Teshima I, Rutka JT: Total resection of an intracerebral hemangioendothelioma in an infant. Case report and review of the literature. Pediatr Neurosurg 34: 104–112, 2001

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hurley TR, Whisler WW, Clasen RA, Smith MC, Bleck TP, Doolas A, Dampier MF: Recurrent intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma associated with multicentric disease of liver and heart: case report. Neurosurgery 35: 148–151, 1994

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Taratuto AL, Zurbriggen G, Sevlever G, Saccoliti M: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the central nervous system. Pediatr Neurosci 14: 11–14, 1988

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Venizelos ID, Paradinas FJ: Primary pediatric intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Histopathology 41: 172–174, 2002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Myles TD, Strassner HT, Wong DJ: Pregnancy after treatment of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a case report. J Reprod Med 39: 52–54, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kepes JJ, Rubinstein LJ, Maw G, Burdick B: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the central nervous system and its covering: a report of three cases. J Neuropath Exp Neurol 45: 319, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  23. Puca A, Meglio M, Rollo M, Zannoni F: Intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: case report. Neurosurgery 38: 399–401, 1996

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Pearl GS, Takei Y, Tindall GT, O'Brien MS, Payne NS, Hoffman JC: Benign hemangioendothelioma involving the central nervous system: ‘strawberry nevus’ of the neuroaxis. Neurosurgery 7: 249–256, 1980

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Chen TC, Gonzalez-Gomez I, Gilles FH, McComb JG: Pediatric intracranial hemangioendotheliomas: case report. Neurosurgery 40: 410–414, 1997

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hamlat, A., Casallo-Quilliano, C., Saikali, S. et al. Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Infundibular–Hypothalamic Region: Case Report and Literature Review. J Neurooncol 67, 361–366 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEON.0000024240.97378.d0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEON.0000024240.97378.d0

Navigation