Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CaPNoN): an unusual cause of third nerve palsy in a teenager

An 18-year-old part-time teacher presented with headache and diplopia. Physical examination showed partial left oculomotor palsy. Neurology examination was otherwise unremarkable. Cross-sectional imaging was arranged for investigation of third nerve palsy. On CT scan, the lesion was calcified, and on MRI, hypointense on T(1) and T(2) weightedimages with thin rim enhancement, resembling an atypical meningioma. CT angiogram showed no vascular connection. Following worsening diplopia and a slight increase in lesion size on follow-up MRI, the patient was re-reviewed in our regional skull base multidisciplinary team meeting, where a decision for excision was made. Pre-operatively, the absence of a vascular connection was confirmed on catheter angiogram. Histopathological examination demonstrated features typical of calcified pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis, with extensive metaplastic calcification with stroma containing variable fibrovascular tissue and focal inflammatory cell infiltrates, spindle and epithelioid cells, and psammoma bodies at the rim of the lesion. Following surgery, the patient had persisting diplopia. He remains under clinical review. As surgical resection is considered curative, no further imaging follow-up is planned.