Histomorphological spectrum of intracranial space occupying lesions: Experience at tertiary care centre

Abstract

An “Intra-cranial space occupying lesion” (ICSOL) is defined as a mass in the cranial cavity with a diverse etiology like benign or malignant neoplasm, inflammatory or parasitic lesion, haematoma or arterio-venous malformation. The aim was to study the histomorphological spectrum of intracranial space occupying lesions at a tertiary care centre hospital in order to give accurate pretherapeutic diagnosis to facilitate better therapeutic results. This prospective and descriptive type of study of two years duration was carried out from November 2017 to October 2019 in Govt. Medical College and Superspeciality Hospital, Nagpur in the Department of Pathology. A total of 300 samples were received from Department of Neurosurgery. Detailed collection of clinical data was done in all patients regarding age, sex, clinical symptoms and radiological findings.The samples were received in 10% formalin and subjected to routine histopathological processing. Slides prepared were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Special stains were done wherever required. Total 300 cases were studied of which 261 cases (87%) were neoplastic in nature and 39 cases (13%) were non neoplastic. Amongst primary tumours, most common were gliomas (48%) followed by meningiomas (20%) and schwannomas (9%). ICSOLs can present with nonspecific clinical features. Radio diagnostic investigations are helpful adjunct tools but cannot give exact diagnosis. Histopathological examination remains a gold standard for diagnosing and grading of tumours on which basis clinician can decide further line of management.