title: Diffuse gliomatosis of the central nervous system with histological features of microgliomatosis.
abstract: An unusual case of diffuse gliomatosis affecting predominantly spinal cord but also paraxial structures of the brain is reported. Histologically, foci of tumor cells bore resemblance to microglia and a diagnosis of diffuse microgliomatosis was initially made. Subsequent review of histological material and immunostaining with anti-GFAP antiserum revealed astrocytic differentiation in the tumor. This is regarded as evidence of a poorly differentiated, diffuse gliomatosis exhibiting both astrocytic and microglial features. The controversy surrounding the microglia and microgliomatosis is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morbid Anatomy, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*