Objective:To get better recognition of central neurocytoma and diminish misdiagnosis.Methods:A retrospective review identified 15 cases of central neurocytoma.All cases of central neurocytoma were analyzed for their clinical symptoms,pathologic changes,immunohistochemical staining,prognosis and differential diagnosis.Clinical follow up was performed.Results:There were 8 males and 7 females aged 10-64 years(median 32.93 years).The most common presenting symptoms were those related to increased intracranial pressure(ICP),including headache(100%),papilledema(93%) and vomiting(80%).All tumors were located in the ventricular system.The tumors were composed of uniform cells with round nuclei and a fine chromatin pattern,and in some areas,small cells with perinuclear halo could be seen.In particular,the anuclear areas may have a fine fibrillary matrix(neuropil).Nuclear atypia and vascular proliferation appeared in two cases,respectively.Focal necrosis could be seen in one case.Immunohistochemical findings included expression of synaptophysin(15/15),neuron specific enolase(12/15) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)(3/15).MIB-1 proliferation index ranged from 0.812.5%,and was more than 2% in 3 of 15 cases assessed.Follow-up information of 11 patients was available.Conclusions:Central neurocytoma has a favorable prognosis in general,but in some cases,the clinical course could be aggressive.Increase of GFAP positivity,proliferation index and vascular proliferation might suggest a more malignant process.
