Neurinoma of the Trigeminal Root with Intratumoral Recurrent Hemorrhages: Case Report

A rare case of neurinoma of the trigeminal root associated with recurrent hemorrhages is reported. The patient was a 77-year-old male. The tumor was composed of a large cyst which was demonstrated as a low density area on a plain computed tomography (CT). Contrast enhancement CT revealed a so-called “rim enhancement” of the tumor. Only partial removal of the cyst wall was performed because of the high age and a medical complication. The postoperative course was uneventful, but intratumoral hemorrhage was observed with abrupt appearance of various symptoms 3 months later. An Ommaya reservoir was used to evacuate the contents of the cyst and it relieved the symptoms. A cyst-peritoneal shunt was then used because of recurrent intratumoral hemorrhages. Favorable result has been attained for one year. The cyst-peritoneal shunt may be selected as a surgical procedure for a neurinoma associated with a large cyst when the total removal is judged to be inadvisable.