Diagnostic problems in multiple sclerosis. Two cases with clinical diagnosis of MS showing only a diffusely growing malignant astrocytoma.
Two cases are presented with a long clinical history of multiple sclerosis (MS) before the diagnosis of an intracranial brain tumor. In the subsequent brain autopsy, however, both cases presented a diffusely growing anaplastic astrocytoma, only, and no changes similar to MS were seen. Diffuse tumor growth was noted in periventricular brain tissue and extended down to pons or medulla. Immunohistochemically, a positive staining for glial fibrillar acidic protein was observed in both cases and in the second case, which presented an increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid IgG, also a positive staining for immunoglobulins was seen. These case histories and subsequent neuropathological findings are presented as examples of diagnostic difficulties in MS, especially in cases with diffusely growing gliomas.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*