title: May 1999--16 year old male with an unexpected MRI finding.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology (Neuropathology), Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haberland
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Graupner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kalff
mesh_terms: 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