Widespread neuroendocrine malignancy within the central nervous system: a diagnostic conundrum. Issue 5 (May 1997)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hopster, D J; Robinson, S F; Chadwick, L; Geddes, J F
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 50:Issue 5(1997)
• Page Start: 440
• Page End: 442
• Publication Date: 1997-05
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.50.5.440
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : A 75 year old female presented with a sellar tumour, and was subsequently found also to have a cauda equina tumour, a parietal dural tumour, a pontine tumour, an intradural spinal tumour, and several vertebral body tumours. Histological examination revealed a neuroendocrine tumour forming cell nests surrounded by reticulin. There was moderate nuclear pleomorphism, prominent mitoses, and focal necrosis. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse positive staining with cytokeratins, chromogranin and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and focal positive staining with S100. This case is an unusual and ultimately insoluble, diagnostic problem; however, the differential diagnoses include pituitary carcinoma, malignant paraganglioma, and atypical carcinoid.