Abstract
Eight interhemispheric lipomas (five tubulonodular lipomas and three curvilinear lipomas) were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose was to further investigate the relationship between the morphology of the different subtypes and the clinical presentation. The imaging findings were reviewed in light of a recent theory on the development of the corpus callosum. Interhemispheric lipomas should be considered as one entity with a variable expression depending on the severity and/or the time of the insult. Curvilinear lipomas can be either small or extensive and are usually not symptomatic. Tubulonodular lipomas can be either predominantly anterior or posterior in location. The anterior subtype appears to be a more severe form of tubulonodular lipoma. The associated structural abnormalities are most likely responsible for the symptoms, rather than the lipoma itself. Magnetic resonance imaging allows a more precise timing of the insult, resulting in the development of a lipoma. The knowledge of the embryology between the 6th and the 20 h week is important to explain these abnormalities. Until now it has been accepted that the corpus callosum develops in an orderly fashion. A recent theory has demonstrated that this is not necessarily true, and that fibers can cross the midline at any place irrespective of the normal development. This theory explains the sometimes amorphous appearance of the remnant of the corpus callosum if a lipoma is present.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Zettner A, Netsky M (1960) Lipoma of the corpus callosum. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 19: 305.
Verga P (1929) Lipoma ed osteolipomi della pia madre. Tumori 15: 321.
Truwit CL, Barkovich AJ (1990) Pathogenesis of intracranial lipoma: an MR study in 42 patients. AJNR 11: 665.
Rubinstein D, Youngman V, Hise JH, Damiano TR (1994) Partial development of the corpus callosum. AJNR 15: 869.
Rakic P, Yakovlev PI (1968) Development of the corpus callosum and cavum septi in man. J Comp Neurol 132: 45.
Rokitansky C (1856) Lehrbuch der pathologischen Anatomie. Braumuller, Vienna, pp 468–478.
Tart RP, Quisling RG (1991) Curvilinear and tubulonodular varieties of lipoma of the corpus callosum: an MR and CT study. J Comput Assist Tomogr 15: 805.
Gastaut H, Regis H, Gastaut JL, Yermenos E, Low MD (1980) Lipomas of the corpus callosum and epilepsy. Neurology 30: 132.
Yock DH (1980) Choroid plexus lipomas associated with lipoma of the corpus callosum. J Comput Assist Tomogr 4: 678.
Baker AB, Adams JM (1938) Lipomatosis of the central nervous system. Am J Cancer 34: 214.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: Ph. Demaerel
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Demaerel, P., Van de Gaer, P., Wilms, G. et al. Interhemispheric lipoma with variable callosal dysgenesis: relationship between embryology, morphology, and symptomatology. Eur. Radiol. 6, 904–909 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240701
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240701