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Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Feb 2019Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are slow-growing low-grade gliomas, commonly diagnosed as cerebellar tumors among the pediatric and adolescent population. Characteristic...
Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are slow-growing low-grade gliomas, commonly diagnosed as cerebellar tumors among the pediatric and adolescent population. Characteristic neuroradiologic findings in PA include a cystic mass with enhancing solid nodule. While uncommon radiologic features of PA, including non-enhancing cystic tumors, have been previously described, we present a unique case of a patient with a non-enhancing solid cerebellar PA. The main clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported patient with these radiologic features of PA, highlighting the need for awareness of uncommon presentations when discussing differential diagnosis and pre-operative planning for cerebellar tumors in the relevant age group.
Topics: Adolescent; Astrocytoma; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 30366781
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.10.062 -
Neuropathology : Official Journal of... Sep 2003A case of pilocytic astrocytoma of neurohypophysis is presented. The clinical, pathological and MRI features of a rare tumor of the neurohypophysis are described. A...
A case of pilocytic astrocytoma of neurohypophysis is presented. The clinical, pathological and MRI features of a rare tumor of the neurohypophysis are described. A 5-year-old girl presented with a 3 month history of lethargy, imbalance and visual disturbances. A MRI revealed a large suprasellar mass. Histopathological examination demonstrated a pilocytic astrocytoma. Its astrocytic nature was confirmed by positive immunostaining for GFAP and the findings of an electron microscopy.
Topics: Astrocytoma; Child, Preschool; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microscopy, Electron; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Radiography
PubMed: 14570290
DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1789.2003.00494.x -
Clinical Neuropathology 2017Majority of tumors arising in posterior fossa in children are pilocytic astrocytoma. However, a small subset of these have a neuronal component that may either be...
Majority of tumors arising in posterior fossa in children are pilocytic astrocytoma. However, a small subset of these have a neuronal component that may either be admixed throughout with the glial component or may be segregated to one or two regions within the glial element. Interestingly, the radiological features of this subgroup are also distinctive, showing midline location, frequent cyst formation, hemorrhage, and circumscribed nature. Taken together, both radiological and pathological features can fairly predict the subgroup categorization within infratentorial gangliogliomas (GG), as has been recently elucidated. Moreover, these are characterized by distinct molecular abnormalities that are therapeutically targetable, making their recognition critical. We describe an example of infratentorial tumor with its radiology and morphological features distinct enough to place it under the category of GG, group II or pilocytic astrocytoma with gangliocytic differentiation. .
Topics: Adolescent; Astrocytoma; Biomarkers, Tumor; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Ganglioglioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infratentorial Neoplasms
PubMed: 27936528
DOI: 10.5414/NP300974 -
Journal of Neurosurgery May 2004The authors report a case of a 13-year-old boy with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient experienced sudden... (Review)
Review
The authors report a case of a 13-year-old boy with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient experienced sudden onset of headache, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. Cranial computerized tomography scanning revealed blood within basal cisterns and the third ventricle. Angiography demonstrated normal cerebral vasculature and upward displacement of the bilateral A, segments of the anterior cerebral artery. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a chiasmatic/hypothalamic mass with evidence of hemorrhage. The mass was surgically decompressed. Histopathological examination showed evidence of JPA. In all cases of SAH in which there is blood around the third ventricle and a raised A1 segment on angiography, MR imaging should be performed. The presence of a normal sella turcica, as well as indistinct margins between the tumor and the opticochiasmatic apparatus should raise suspicion about the lesion.
Topics: Adolescent; Angiography; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 15287467
DOI: 10.3171/ped.2004.100.5.0525 -
Clinical Neuropathology 2007Pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO Grade 1) is a low-grade glioma with a favorable prognosis most commonly diagnosed in patients aged below 20. It is the most common glioma in...
Pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO Grade 1) is a low-grade glioma with a favorable prognosis most commonly diagnosed in patients aged below 20. It is the most common glioma in children, and cases discovered in elderly patients are rare. We report the highly unusual case of an 85-year-old man whose neurological signs included Parkinsonism, and in whom post mortem examination revealed a pilocytic astrocytoma of the brainstem. We also discuss the clinical, neuroradiological and neuropathological differential diagnosis.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged, 80 and over; Astrocytoma; Brain Stem Neoplasms; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Male; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 18232598
DOI: 10.5414/npp26306 -
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Feb 2009Intramedullary glial neoplasms affecting the entire cord from the cervicomedullary junction to the conus are termed "holocord tumors" and those diagnosed as pilocytic... (Review)
Review
Intramedullary glial neoplasms affecting the entire cord from the cervicomedullary junction to the conus are termed "holocord tumors" and those diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma are rare. Herein, we present a 13-year-old girl with a tumor extending from the cervicomedullary junction to the conus which was partially resected in a four-stage approach. Histopathological examination of all specimens resulted in diagnosis of a pilocytic astrocytoma. Although no signs of atypia were present, an elevated proliferative activity of endothelial vessels was noted. Residual parts of the tumor showed progress making additional surgery necessary. Therapy and its consequences are discussed and an overview of the literature of these rare longitudinally extensive intramedullary lesions is given.
Topics: Astrocytoma; Biopsy; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 18980798
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2008.09.014 -
Acta Neuropathologica 1996A case of pigmented pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) incidentally found in a right temporopolar lobectomy specimen is reported. The patient, a 41-year-old woman,...
A case of pigmented pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) incidentally found in a right temporopolar lobectomy specimen is reported. The patient, a 41-year-old woman, underwent surgery because of long-standing complex partial epilepsy of presumed post-traumatic origin. Using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, the tumor was shown to be composed of astrocytes without evidence of neurosecretory or melanocytic differentiation. The cytoplasmic pigment was identified as neuromelanin by its histochemical staining properties and ultrastructure. Although rare cases of ependymoma, subependymoma, choroid plexus papilloma and ganglioglioma with melanogenesis are on record, no melanotic astrocytoma has been described so far.
Topics: Adult; Astrocytes; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Melanins
PubMed: 8740238
DOI: 10.1007/s004010050465 -
Journal of Neuro-oncology May 2012Pilocytic astrocytoma is a WHO grade 1 brain tumor common in children. Relatively little is known about the behavior of pilocytic astrocytomas in adult patients, largely...
Pilocytic astrocytoma is a WHO grade 1 brain tumor common in children. Relatively little is known about the behavior of pilocytic astrocytomas in adult patients, largely due to the rarity of pilocytic astrocytoma in this population. Some data suggest that adults share the excellent prognosis seen in children, while other reports suggest more aggressive tumor behavior in adult patients. Patients diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma between 1973 and 2008 were identified in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database. Age-group specific survival was analyzed with overall, expected, and cancer-specific survival rates. Further survival analyses were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox Proportional Hazards models. 3,066 patients with pilocytic astrocytoma were identified, including 865 patients aged 20 years and older. Survival rates declined significantly with age, from 96.5% 60-month survival in patients 5-19 years (95% CI 95.3-97.4) to 52.9% 60-month survival in adult patients 60+ years of age (95% CI 38.4-65.5), with a corresponding decrease in relative and cancer-specific survival rates. Gross total resection was a positive prognostic indicator in adults, while patients receiving radiation had shorter survival regardless of extent of resection. Pilocytic astrocytoma is associated with higher mortality in adult patients than in children and teens, and survival decreases with increasing age in adults. The morbidity of pilocytic astrocytoma in adults provides rationale for future trials of adjuvant treatment in high-risk patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Astrocytoma; Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; National Cancer Institute (U.S.); Population Surveillance; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate; Time Factors; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 22367412
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-012-0829-0 -
BMJ Case Reports Aug 2016Psychotic symptoms are rarely documented in association with cortex-sparing central nervous system (CNS) lesions limited to the midbrain. We present the case of a... (Review)
Review
Psychotic symptoms are rarely documented in association with cortex-sparing central nervous system (CNS) lesions limited to the midbrain. We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with hereditary and environmental risk factors for psychiatric illness, as well as a history of midbrain pilocytic astrocytoma treated with chemotherapy and focused radiation, who presented with non-epileptic seizures, hyper-religiosity and frank psychosis. The space-occupying midbrain lesion has been radiographically stable while the patient has decompensated psychiatrically. Differential aetiology for the patient's psychiatric decompensation is discussed, including psychosis secondary to a lesion of the midbrain. Literature linking midbrain lesions to psychotic features, such as in peduncular hallucinosis, is briefly reviewed. This case suggests that a midbrain lesion in a susceptible patient may contribute to psychosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Astrocytoma; Brain Stem Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 27511753
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216165 -
JCO Precision Oncology May 2024This report highlights the first pediatric case of pilocytic astrocytoma with BRAF V599ins mutation, successfully treated with dabrafenib.
This report highlights the first pediatric case of pilocytic astrocytoma with BRAF V599ins mutation, successfully treated with dabrafenib.
Topics: Humans; Astrocytoma; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Oximes; Imidazoles; Mutation; Brain Neoplasms; Male; Female; Child
PubMed: 38781546
DOI: 10.1200/PO.24.00055