title: Brainstem ganglioglioma.
abstract: Gangliogliomas are usually benign slow-growing neoplasms, seen mainly in the first 3 decades of life and are prevalently located supratentorial, mostly in the temporal and frontal lobe. The authors present a rare case of a brainstem ganglioglioma in an 11-year-old boy who was referred to their hospital complaining of episodes of blurry vision, loss of memory, gait disturbances, and morning headache with vomiting, lasting for over a month. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a mass on the dorsal surface of the brainstem, compressing the brainstem and producing secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient was operated upon, and the histopathology revealed the presence of a ganglioglioma grade II (World Health Organization classification). On follow-up examination after 1 year, a minor gait imbalance was the only finding. A total resection should be always attempted, where possible in brainstem gangliogliomas. Close follow-up is mandatory, and re-resection or radiotherapy should be considered in case of tumor recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Agia Sofia, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evriviadis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mpairamidis
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sfakianos
authors.forename: Neofytos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prodromou
mesh_terms: D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D018303:Ganglioglioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male