Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in the cerebellum of a 7-year-old boy presenting with headache after a fall

Abstract

A 7-year-old boy presented to a community emergency department (ED) after sustaining a minor fall. Although he was found to have a normal neurologic examination, additional history revealed the patient had been having mild intermittent headaches and dizziness in the months preceding the fall. The emergency clinicians ordered neuroimaging, which demonstrated a right cerebellar mass, ultimately diagnosed as atypical rhabdoid/teratoid tumor. Atypical rhabdoid/teratoid tumor is a rare, aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. The objectives of this case report are to emphasize the importance of detailed history with pediatric head trauma, in particular on reassessment, and to discuss briefly the epidemiology and management of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor.