Intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma: Case report and review of the literature

Cargill H. Alleyne, Roy A.E. Bakay, Donal Costigan, Bill Thomas, Greg J. Joseph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) is a relatively common head and neck tumor that is slow growing, but locally aggressive and thus prone to recurrence. It is of particular interest to neurosurgeons and neurologists because of its tendency to locally infiltrate neural structures and to spread perineurally. Intracranial involvement has been regarded as rare. METHODS A case report of a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the Gasserian ganglion region is presented. The world literature on intracranial involvement of adenoid cystic carcinoma is reviewed. A discussion of the characteristics of this lesion is provided. RESULTS Our literature review revealed 119 previously reported cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma with intracranial involvement. Our case represents only the tenth reported intracranial case with an unknown primary site. CONCLUSIONS Although intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma is regarded as rare, we have accumulated over 100 such reports. A wide variety of primary sites and intracranial sites have been described.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-270
Number of pages6
JournalSurgical Neurology
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma
  • Brain neoplasm
  • Cylindroma
  • Perineural spread

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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