Intracranial Lipoma

Intracranial lipoma is a fatty tumor from abnormal embryonic CNS development; rarely symptomatic; incidental at autopsy; a rare intracranial tumor clinically.

Common Symptoms

Corpus-callosum dysgenesis; mental disorder; dementia; ataxia; tinnitus; hearing loss; raised ICP; vertigo; bradyphrenia; cranial hyperostosis

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology: often with other congenital CNS anomalies (agenesis of corpus callosum, spina bifida, midline cranial bone defect, meningomyelocele); most common = callosal agenesis. Midline location + neural-tube defects → embryonic dysgenesis. Mechanism hypotheses: (1) hamartoma-like congenital tumor from ectopic fat; (2) coexisting malformations from genetic factors (abnormal arachnoid differentiation); (3) fatty degeneration of connective tissue/glia. Pathology: under leptomeninges/in cisterns, ill-defined, interwoven with fibrous/vascular tissue; callosal lipoma = thin layer on corpus callosum or within interhemispheric fissure; mature adipocytes + fetal fat; foamy pink cytoplasm; rare nuclei; no malignancy; often with fibrous/vascular tissue, thick-walled vessels, smooth muscle, striated muscle/bone/marrow.

Treatment

Drug, surgery, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Partial resection = good recovery. Most patients don't need surgery (no fatal ICP/mass effect).

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Neurosurgery department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.