Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: a new differential diagnosis for a pediatric pineal neoplasm.
The pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an infrequently occurring benign astrocytic tumor with a predilection for the temporal and parietal cortices of children and young adults. We describe its occurrence in an unusual location in a 15-year-old boy who presented with raised intracranial pressure of short duration. Imaging showed a 3 × 3.2 × 3.5 cm mass in the pineal region extending into the quadrigeminal cistern. It had a contrast-enhancing solid component and a larger, ventrally located, peripherally enhancing cystic component. Total excision of the lesion was achieved via a modified left Poppen's approach. Histopathology and immunochemistry were suggestive of a PXA. This is the first report in the pediatric literature describing a PXA in the pineal region.
Department of Neurosurgery, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield, Bangalore, India. sumit.thakar@gmail.com
Sumit
S
Thakar
N A
NA
Sai Kiran
Nandita
N
Ghosal
Alangar S
AS
Hegde
D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010871:Pinealoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery