Subependymomas of the Septum Pellucidum

Abstract

I N 1944, Globus and Kuhlenbeck '~ stressed the importance of the subependymal cell plate in the histogenesis of primary neuroectodermal tumors. Since then, 53 tumors, composed mostly of ectodermal elements derived from the subependymal glia, have been reported. 1-4,6,8,11-13 These have been called subependymoma, 13 subependymal astrocytoma, 4 subependymal glomerate astrocytoma, 2,6,12 and subependymal mixed glioma2 More than 75 % of these tumors arose in the fourth ventricle or its recesses; only five arose from the septum pellucidum. ~,11,12 Identification of subependymomas arising from the septum pellucidum is a prerequisite for their appropriate surgical management; two such cases form the basis of this report.