Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma: Contribution of thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography in preoperative diagnosis: Case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma is a fairly rare clinical entity. This unique lesion is peculiar for its clinical onset, formation of a capsule, and progressive enlargement. The mechanism for capsule formation and self-perpetuating expansion still remains uncertain, as well as the causal relationship with vascular malformations. Because of their pseudotumoral course and misleading neuroradiological features, these lesions can be misdiagnosed preoperatively as cerebral neoplasms. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS: A 62-year-old man was referred with a 2-month history of generalized tonicoclonic seizures. There was no history of head injury or arterial hypertension. The results of a neurological examination were normal. Computed tomographic scans revealed a slightly hyperdense roundish area in the right parietotemporal region with ring-like enhancement after contrast medium injection, moderate mass effect, and perifocal low attenuation. With the provisional diagnosis of astrocytoma, the patient was admitted for a craniotomy. Before surgery, a thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomographic study was performed, which showed no abnormal uptake of the tracer, raising significant doubt regarding the presumptive diagnosis of a tumor. INTERVENTION: Intraoperative findings revealed a hematoma, with a well-demarcated, thick, fibrous-elastic capsule. There was evidence of repeated intracapsular hemorrhages. The lesion was totally removed, and the patient recovered fully. No other pathological findings, including vascular malformations, were noted. CONCLUSION: Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematomas probably occur more frequently than the limited number of reported cases would indicate. This case represents a realistic clinical problem-solving setting in with thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography was used because of its capacity for functional tumor detection and differential diagnosis.