LIPOMA OF THE CORPUS CALLOSUM

Lipoma of the corpus callosum is a rare congenital intracranial tumor, occurring in 0.03% of all intracranial tumors (1).

ULTRASOUND (1-3)

• Hyperechoic midline mass in corpus callosum.
• The are usually small and lie close to the superior surface of the intact corpus callosum.
• Closely related to the pericallosal artery.
• Non-calcified (no shadowing).
• No hydrocephalus.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Fat containing intracranial tumors (dermoids and teratomas). Dermoids and teratomas have three sites of preference (pineal gland region, subfrontal region and subtemporal region).

ASSOCIATED ANOMALIES

• Complete callosal agenesis (± 50%) (4).
• Frontal cutaneous lipoma (10%) (5).
• Frontal lipomeningocele and median cleft syndrome (6).
• 20-25% of callosal lipomas are reported associated with choroid plexus lipomas (7).
• Spinal dysraphism (meningomyelocele, encephalocele, cranium bifidum).

REFERENCES

1. Christensen RA, Pickney LE, Higgins S et.al. Sonographic diagnosis of lipoma of the corpus callosum. J Ultrasound Med 1987;6:449-451.
2. Sauerbrei EE, Cooperberg PL. Neonatal brain: Sonography of congenital abnormalities. AJR 1981;136:1167.
3. Mulligan G, Meier P. Lipoma and agenesis of the corpus callosum associated with choroid plexus lipomas. In utero diagnosis. J Ultrasound Med 1989;8:583-588.
4. Tahmouresie A, Kroll G, Shucart W. Lipoma of the corpus callosum. Surg Neurol 1979;11:31.
5. Kazner E, Stockdorph O, Wende S et.al. Intracranial lipoma. J Neurosurg 1980;52:234.
6. Kinal M, Rasmussen G, Hamby WB. Lipoma of the corpus callosum. J Neuropathol Clin Neurol 1951;1:168.
7. Yock DH. Choroid plexus lipomas associated with lipoma of the corpus callosum. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1980;4:678.