|
A 17 year-old boy presented with a headache and gait instability. |
| Pilocytic Astrocytoma. (Left) Flair
axial MRI; (Right) T1-weighted with gadolinium (Gad) sagittal MRI. Note the obvious hydrocephalus on the Flair
image with the surrounding transependymal edema. On the sagittal scan,
there is a large cystic cavity with an enhancing tumor nodule near the foramen
magnum. The World Health Organization scheme for grading gliomas from benign to progressively more malignant is as follows: ● Grade I - Pilocytic Note that pilocytic tumors are very benign histologically. They are the most common astrocytic tumors in children and most often are located in the cerebellum. On imaging, they are cystic, often with an enhancing tumor nodule. Because they most often occur in the cerebellum, initial symptoms tend to be headache and gait ataxia. Non-communicating hydrocephalus can occur. These lesions are typically treated by surgical resection and have an excellent prognosis. |
Revised
11/27/06.
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston