title: Massive Calcified Cerebellar Pilocytic Astrocytoma with Rapid Recurrence : A Rare Case.
abstract: Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are World Heath Organization Grade I tumors and are most common in children. PA calcification is not a common finding and has been reported more frequently in the optic nerve, hypothalamic/thalamus and superficially located cerebral tumors. We present a cerebellar PA in a 3-year-old male patient with cystic components and massive calcification areas. The residual tumor grew rapidly after the first operation, and the patient was operated on again. A histopathological examination revealed polar spongioblastoma-like cells. Massive calcification is not a common feature in PAs and can lead to difficulties in radiological and pathological differential diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baskent University Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aydemir
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baskent University Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kardes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Baskent University Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fazilet
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kayaselçuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baskent University Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tufan
keywords: Calcification; Pilocytic astrocytoma; Polar spongioblastoma