Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma and ganglioglioma: case report and review of the literature

Clin Neuropathol. 2017 Jan/Feb;36 (2017)(1):31-40. doi: 10.5414/NP300945.

Abstract

Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma (DIA) is a rare, supratentorial, dural-based, large cystic tumor that usually arises in the first 24 months of life. However, non-infantile cases were also reported in the literature. Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma and desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) are both classified as grade I astrocytoma by the World Health Organization (WHO). Grossly, DIA/DIG are large tumors composed of solid and cystic portions. Although large in nature, they are slow-growing tumors, with good prognosis after complete surgical removal, and rarely require a chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, there have been few cases of DIA that demonstrated malignant features and/or spontaneous recurrence or metastases which necessitates close-up monitoring after surgical intervention. Herein, we report a case of an 18-month-old boy who presented with progressive head enlargement that was discovered to be due to a large left frontal predominantly cystic tumor. The patient underwent subtotal resection (STR) and was diagnosed as DIA on histopathological examination. Over a duration of 18 months of follow-up, the patient's status deteriorated, and he eventually died. .

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / pathology*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Ganglioglioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor