May 1999--16 year old male with an unexpected MRI finding.
Four years after resection of a supratentorial pilocytic astrocytoma this 16-year-old boy displayed widespread leptomeningeal seeding. Although the primary tumor lacked contrast enhancement, the multiple metastatic nodules were markedly contrast enhancing. Both the initial and disseminated tumor were consistent with a pilocytic astrocytoma. He was treated with vincristin and carboplatinum and the tumor was stable up to Dec. 1998. Dissemination of low-grade intracranial astrocytoma in children occurs in only 4%. It is not a sign of malignancy. The present case is similar to previously published cases. The prognosis of these patients might be quite favorable when treated with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
Patt
S
S
Institute of Pathology (Neuropathology), Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany.
Haberland
N
N
Graupner
H
H
Schreiber
D
D
Kalff
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male