Giant Leaking Colloid Cyst Presenting with Aseptic Meningitis: Review of the Literature and Report of a Case.

BACKGROUND

Colloid cysts are benign third ventricle lesions that need to be diagnosed correctly because of their association with sudden death. Chemical or aseptic meningitis is a rare presentation of a colloid cyst.

METHODS

We present a case of a 69-year-old man with fever, alteration of mental status, and meningismus. Microbiological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed aseptic meningitis. Brain imaging revealed a third ventricular colloid cyst with hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

The tumor was resected via endoscopic intervention. There were no persistent operative complications related to the endoscopic procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemical or aseptic meningitis is an unusual clinical manifestation of a colloid cyst, complicating the differential diagnosis, especially in the elderly.