Dissemination patterns of pilocytic astrocytoma.
Two patients with multifocal pilocytic astrocytoma diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by histopathological examination are reported. They presented distinct sites and mechanisms of metastasis: to distant ventricles through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in patient 1 and to contralateral parenchyma, possibly through white matter tracts, in patient 2, a pathway not so far reported in pilocytic astrocytoma. Early detection of multifocal pilocytic astrocytoma by MRI may change treatment strategies and improve prognosis.
Faria
Andréia V
AV
Department of Radiology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Caixa Postal 6111, Cidade Universitária, Campinas SP, CEP 13083-970, Brazil. andreia@fcm.unicamp.br
Azevedo
Geovani C A
GC
Zanardi
Verônica A
VA
Ghizoni
Enrico
E
Queiroz
Luciano S
LS
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000556:secondary*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged