Congenital intracerebral teratoma: a rare differential diagnosis in newborn hydrocephalus

Abstract

Congenital hydrocephalus is caused by a broad spectrum of underlying disorders. In the majority of cases it is due to aqueductal stenosis and other distinct congenital anomalies, like Arnold-Chiari malformation. Nevertheless, in the differential diagnosis rare conditions such as cerebral malignancies must also be considered. We present two cases of congenital intracerebral teratoma as a differential diagnosis in congenital obstructive hydrocephalus. A teratoma is suggested when a rapidly growing hydrocephalus with a central calcified and vascularized mass is found sonographically. Regular cerebral structures usually cannot be detected. Early diagnosis in such cases is of clinical importance as the prognosis of congenital intracerebral teratoma is generally very poor.