Diffuse central nervous system protoplasmic astrocytoma.
Protoplasmic astrocytoma is an extremely rare form of grade II low grade glioma which usually presents as a discrete mass lesion. We describe a 3-year-old female with diffuse protoplasmic astrocytoma with parenchymal involvement and leptomeningeal spread. This tumour proved extremely difficult to diagnose and followed a progressive course. Three superficial biopsies did not give the diagnosis and this was only confirmed 8 months from presentation from a larger fourth biopsy taken deeper from the cerebellum. To our knowledge this case represents the distinct presentation of protoplasmic astrocytoma presenting as extensive diffuse meningeal disease.
Manley
Sue
S
Department of Paediatric Oncology, Alder Hey Childrens' NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK. sue.manley@alderhey.nhs.uk
Crooks
Daniel
D
Artingstall
Libby
L
Buxton
Neil
N
Appleton
Richard
R
Riordan
Andrew
A
Cleary
Gavin
G
Pizer
Barry
B
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010784:Photomicrography; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000175:diagnosis