Olfactory ensheathing cell tumor: A case report and review of the literature

Olfactory ensheathing cell tumors (OECTs) are rare malignancies that occur in the anterior fossa. Little is known with regard to their clinical, radiological and immunohistochemical characteristics. The current study reports the case of a 20-year-old male with an OECT, who presented with a severe headache and a generalized convulsion. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed heterogeneous enhancement of the tumor in the left anterior fossa. Complete removal of the tumor via a left frontal craniotomy was conducted, which relieved the patient's headache; however, this resulted in left-sided anosmia that remained during the two-month follow-up. The tumor was immunopositive for vimentin and S-100, and immunonegative for epithelial membrane antigen and Leu-7. The clinical data, imaging features, intraoperative findings and immunohistochemical characteristics of an additional seven cases reported in the literature are also reviewed and analyzed, providing important clinical information for the pre-operative diagnosis and intraoperative removal of OECTs.