Gliomatosis cerebri presenting with optic nerve involvement: MRI.
Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare form of astrocytoma characterized by extreme infiltration of the brain structure in conjunction with a relative paucity of clinical findings. We describe the MRI findings in a patient with gliomatosis cerebri widely infiltrating the brain who presented with symptoms related to involvement of the optic nerves and chiasm. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed enlargement of the optic nerves and chiasm with pathological enhancement; T2-weighted images showed extensive infiltration of the brain by tumor. Histopathologic examination of the biopsy specimen showed anaplastic astrocytoma with gemistocytic predominance and a diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri was reached.
Felsberg
G J
GJ
Department of Radiology (Box 3808), Duke University Medical Center, Durham 27710, USA.
Glass
J P
JP
Tien
R D
RD
McLendon
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*