Sporadic cerebellar hemangioblastoma presented as a small nodular lesion without cyst formation: Case report

Background: Central nervous system hemangioblastomas are benign tumors that are frequently associated with cyst formation. Sporadic hemangioblastoma with histopathological confirmation presenting as a nodular lesion without cyst formation is very rare. Only two cases, including our case, have been reported. Case description: Our patient, a 65-year-old male, was previously healthy. A small nodular lesion with a peritumoral edema in the right cerebellum was detected, and was accompanied by cyst formation two years later. The cyst expanded gradually, and became symptomatic five years later. The patient was treated successfully with surgery, and the histological diagnosis was hemangioblastoma. Conclusions: We report a very rare case of a sporadic cerebellar hemangioblastoma presented as a small nodular lesion without cyst formation. We demonstrate a new appearance of a peritumoral cyst and its serial expansion. Our report may support the suggestion that edema is a precursor to central nervous system peritumoral cyst formation.