Thalamic gliomas in children: an extensive clinical, neuroradiological and pathological study of 14 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Thalamic tumors represent only 1 to 5% of brain neoplasms but frequently affect children. However, pediatric series are rare and go back to several years in spite of recent advances in the neuroradiological, pathological, and molecular fields.


METHODS
We report a series of 14 pediatric thalamic gliomas with clinical, neuroradiological, and pathological studies including p53 immunostaining in 11 cases and 1p19q status in three cases.


RESULTS
Our series included five pilocytic astrocytomas, seven oligodendrogliomas, and two glioblastomas. Pilocytic astrocytomas were characterized by strong contrast enhancement, lack of p53 expression, and excellent prognosis. Oligodendrogliomas frequently demonstrated an aspect of unilateral thalamic enlargement lacking or with slight contrast enhancement. Some of them expressed p53 or demonstrated 1p loss. Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and glioblastomas displayed a poor outcome, with a mean survival of 8 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Our series of pediatric thalamic gliomas clearly distinguishes pilocytic astrocytomas from anaplastic oligodendrogliomas regarding neuroimaging, pathology, and prognosis.
Fernandez
Carla
C
Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Hôpital de la Timone, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France.
Maues de Paula
André
A
Colin
Carole
C
Quilichini
Benoît
B
Bouvier-Labit
Corinne
C
Girard
Nadine
N
Scavarda
Didier
D
Lena
Gabriel
G
Figarella-Branger
Dominique
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005910:Glioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D015996:Survival Rate; D013788:Thalamus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome