Intraparenchymal supratentorial neurenteric cyst.

BACKGROUND Neurenteric cysts are congenital cysts of the central nervous system that are believed to be of endodermal origin. In this report we present the unique case of a supratentorial neurenteric cyst that is contained entirely within the brain parenchyma. METHODS A patient presented with an intraparenchymal cystic lesion that was subsequently identified as a neurenteric cyst. This lesion is reviewed in light of the available literature. CASE REPORT A 35-year-old female presented with a one year history of progressive headaches and seizure-like episodes. Her examination revealed no deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm cystic lesion within the parenchyma of the right frontal lobe. A right frontal craniotomy and complete excision of the cystic lesion was performed. Pathologic examination confirmed that it was a neurenteric cyst. Postoperatively the patient's symptoms improved. CONCLUSION Review of the literature revealed this to be the first case of a surgically excised, pathologically confirmed supratentorial neurenteric cyst, contained entirely within the brain parenchyma.