Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor of the Cerebellum in an Adult: Case Report and Literature Review

World Neurosurg. 2021 Jan:145:57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.079. Epub 2020 Aug 15.

Abstract

Background: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare tumor that is most frequently encountered in the pediatric patient population. AT/RT accounts for approximately 1%-2% of all pediatric central nervous system tumors and roughly 10%-20% of tumors in patients younger than 3 years of age. While AT/RT has been encountered in the adult population, the vast majority of the cases reported occur in the supratentorial space. In the existing literature, only 3 adult cases that arise from the cerebellum have ever been reported.

Case description: A 38-year-old female presented with 6 months of worsening nausea, emesis, vertigo, diplopia, and coordination difficulty. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T1 avidly contrast-enhancing mass, composed of both cystic and solid areas, extending from the cerebellum into the fourth ventricle. Following a gross total resection, surgical pathology was consistent with AT/RT, with tumor cell loss of integrase interactor-1 (INI-1) observed via immunohistochemical staining.

Conclusions: This case represents just the fourth ever reported case of AT/RT arising from the cerebellum in an adult and the oldest reported age to date of a cerebellar AT/RT occurring in a female. Due to the paucity of reported adult AT/RT cases, little is known about adults with AT/RT. Further reports will function to improve the general understanding of AT/RT in the adult population.

Keywords: Adult; Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor; Brain tumor; Cerebellar tumor; Cerebellum; Rhabdoid tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Fourth Ventricle / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / diagnostic imaging
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / pathology
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / surgery*
  • Teratoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Teratoma / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome