Malignant transformation of a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 722-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Hammond ◽  
Neil Duggal ◽  
John M. J. Woulfe ◽  
John P. Girvin

✓ A 29-year-old man presented in 1984 with a recent onset of partial seizures marked by speech arrest. Electroencephalography identified a left frontotemporal dysrhythmia. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning revealed a superficial hypodense nonenhancing lesion in the midleft frontal convexity, with some remodeling of the overlying skull. The patient was transferred to the London Health Sciences Centre for subtotal resection of what was diagnosed as a “fibrillary astrocytoma (microcystic).” He received no chemotherapy or radiation therapy and remained well for 11 years.The patient presented again in late 1995 with progressive seizure activity. Both CT and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a recurrent enhancing partly cystic lesion. A Grade IV astrocytoma was resected, and within the malignant tumor was a superficial area reminiscent of a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT). Data on the lesion that had been resected in 1984 were reviewed, and in retrospect the lesion was identified as a DNT of the complex form. It was bordered by cortical dysplasia and contained glial nodules, in addition to the specific glioneuronal element. The glial nodules were significant for moderate pleomorphism and rare mitotic figures. The Ki67 labeling index averaged 0.3% in the glial nodules and up to 4% focally. Cells were rarely Ki67 positive within the glioneuronal component. This case is the first documented example of malignant transformation of a DNT. It serves as a warning of the potential for malignant transformation in this entity, which has been traditionally accepted as benign. This warning may be especially warranted when confronted with complex forms of DNT. The completeness of resection in the benign state is of paramount importance.

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuyoshi Miyashita ◽  
Yutaka Hayashi ◽  
Hironori Fujisawa ◽  
Mitsuhiro Hasegawa ◽  
Junkoh Yamashita

✓ Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a benign and rare neoplasm. To date, only 37 patients with intracranial SFTs have been reported. Although a number of the tumors were recurrent and some later underwent malignant transformation, none of these lesions progressed to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination. In this paper the authors report a case of SFT in which the lesion recurred several times and ultimately was disseminated by the CSF. The patient was a 63-year-old woman with multiple intracranial and spinal tumors. Fifteen years before this presentation, at the age of 48 she had been hospitalized for resection of a falcotentorial tumor. During the ensuing 15 years she underwent multiple surgeries and sessions of radiation therapy for recurrent lesions. The exclusive location of her tumors in the subarachnoid space at the end of this 15-year period indicate CSF dissemination of the tumor. The tumor that was resected when the patient was 48 years old and the latest resected lesion were analyzed by performing immunohistological CD34, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, S100 protein, and reticulin staining, and determining the MIB-1 labeling index (LI). Most of the results were identical, and both tumors were diagnosed as SFT according to a staining pattern that showed a strong and diffuse positive reaction for CD34. Nevertheless, the authors noted that the MIB-1 LI increased from less than 1% in the original tumor to 13% in the latest tumor. The increased proliferation of MIB-1 indicates that the malignant transformation could have occurred during tumor recurrence with CSF dissemination.


1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 706-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Nakasu ◽  
Jyoji Handa ◽  
Kazuyoshi Watanabe

✓ Two patients with benign intracerebral cysts are reported and a brief review of the literature is given. Although computerized tomography (CT) scanning is useful in detecting a variety of intracerebral cysts, the CT findings are not specific for any lesion. An exploratory operation with establishment of an adequate route of drainage and a histological examination of the cyst wall are mandatory in the management of patients with a progressive but benign lesion.


1979 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuncalp Özgen ◽  
Aykut Erbengi ◽  
Vural Bertan ◽  
Süleyman Saǧlam ◽  
Özdemir Gürçay ◽  
...  

✓ Eleven cases of cerebral hydatid cyst, diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT), are presented. The importance of CT in minimizing the possibility of accidentally tapping or tearing the cyst membrane is stressed. Repeat CT scanning after removal of the cyst revealed atrophy in the affected hemisphere.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Wanifuchi ◽  
Takashi Shimizu ◽  
Takashi Maruyama

Object. The purpose of this study was to establish a standard curve to demonstrate normal age-related changes in the proportion of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space in intracranial volume (ICV) during each decade of life. Methods. Using volumetric computerized tomography (CT) scanning and computer-guided volume measurement software, ICV and cerebral parenchymal volume (CPV) for each decade of life were measured and the intracranial CSF ratio was calculated by the following formula: percentage of CSF = (ICV − CPV)/ICV × 100%. The standard curve for age-related changes in normal percentages of intracranial CSF was obtained. Conclusions. Based on this standard curve, the percentage of intracranial CSF rapidly increased after the sixth decade, seeming to reflect the brain atrophy that accompanies increased age.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noboru Hosono ◽  
Hironobu Sakaura ◽  
Yoshihiro Mukai ◽  
Takahiro Ishii ◽  
Hideki Yoshikawa

Object. Although conducting cervical laminoplasty in patients with multisegmental cord compression provides good neurological results, it is not without shortcomings, including C-5 palsy, axial neck pain, and undesirable radiologically detectable changes. Postoperative kyphosis and segmental instability can cause neurological problems and are believed mainly to result from neck muscle disruption. The authors developed a new laminoplasty technique, with the aim of preserving optimal muscle function. Methods. The present technique is a modification of unilateral open-door laminoplasty. By using an ultrasonic osteotome in small gaps of muscle bellies, a gutter is made without disrupting muscles, spinous processes, or their connections on the hinged side. Ceramic spacers are then positioned between elevated laminae and lateral masses at C-3, C-5, and C-7 on the opened side, which is exposed in a conventional manner. This new procedure was used to treat 37 consecutive patients with compression myelopathy. Postoperative computerized tomography (CT) scanning revealed a significant difference in a cross-sectional area of muscles between the hinged and opened side. The mean follow-up period was 40.2 months (range 24–54 months). Changes in alignment were observed in only one patient, and vertebral slippage developed in two. Performed at regular intervals, CT scanning demonstrated that the elevated laminae remained in situ throughout the study period. Conclusions. In using the present unilateral open-door laminoplasty technique, deep extensor muscles are left intact along with their junctions to spinous processes on the hinged side. Radiologically documented changes were minimal because the preserved muscles functioned normally immediately after the operation.


1978 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
George M. Kleinman ◽  
William C. Schoene ◽  
Thomas M. Walshe ◽  
Edward P. Richardson

✓ The authors give follow-up information on Case 59 of Cushing's 1931 series of cerebellar astrocytomas. The patient died with a malignant cerebellar astrocytoma 48 years after partial removal of a previously benign astrocytoma at the same site. Including the present one, there have been only five reported cases in which this has occurred. Ordinarily, juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas are of extremely benign character, and it is well established that even with incomplete resections patients have survived for years without progression of the tumor. Not all of the cases so reported can be wholly accepted as representing malignant transformation of the tumor, but may instead be instances of recurrence of an inherently benign glioma since the presence of features such as endothelial hyperplasia or nuclear atypicality in a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma does not warrant its being classified as malignant. Features truly suggestive of malignancy are hypercellularity, frequent mitoses, necrosis, and, in some instances, a diffusely infiltrative growth pattern; all of these features were found in the present case.


1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhaya V. Kulkarni ◽  
Abhijit Guha ◽  
Andres Lozano ◽  
Mark Bernstein

Object. Many neurosurgeons routinely obtain computerized tomography (CT) scans to rule out hemorrhage in patients after stereotactic procedures. In the present prospective study, the authors investigated the rate of silent hemorrhage and delayed deterioration after stereotactic biopsy sampling and the role of postbiopsy CT scanning. Methods. A subset of patients (the last 102 of approximately 800 patients) who underwent stereotactic brain biopsies at the Toronto Hospital prospectively underwent routine postoperative CT scanning within hours of the biopsy procedure. Their medical charts and CT scans were then reviewed. A postoperative CT scan was obtained in 102 patients (aged 17–87 years) who underwent stereotactic biopsy between June 1994 and September 1996. Sixty-one patients (59.8%) exhibited hemorrhages, mostly intracerebral (54.9%), on the immediate postoperative scan. Only six of these patients were clinically suspected to have suffered a hemorrhage based on immediate postoperative neurological deficit; in the remaining 55 (53.9%) of 102 patients, the hemorrhage was clinically silent and unsuspected. Among the clinically silent intracerebral hemorrhages, 22 measured less than 5 mm, 20 between 5 and 10 mm, five between 10 and 30 mm, and four between 30 and 40 mm. Of the 55 patients with clinically silent hemorrhages, only three demonstrated a delayed neurological deficit (one case of seizure and two cases of progressive loss of consciousness) and these all occurred within the first 2 postoperative days. Of the neurologically well patients in whom no hemorrhage was demonstrated on initial postoperative CT scan, none experienced delayed deterioration. Conclusions. Clinically silent hemorrhage after stereotactic biopsy is very common. However, the authors did not find that knowledge of its existence ultimately affected individual patient management or outcome. The authors, therefore, suggest that the most important role of postoperative CT scanning is to screen for those neurologically well patients with no hemorrhage. These patients could safely be discharged on the same day they underwent biopsy.


2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madjid Samii ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba ◽  
Gustavo A. Carvalho

Object. The goal of this study was to determine whether some petroclival tumors can be safely and efficiently treated using a modified retrosigmoid petrosal approach that is called the retrosigmoid intradural suprameatal approach (RISA).Methods. The RISA was introduced in 1983, and since that time 12 patients harboring petroclival meningiomas have been treated using this technique. The RISA includes a retrosigmoid craniotomy and drilling of the suprameatus petrous bone, which is located above and anterior to the internal auditory meatus, thus providing access to Meckel's cave and the middle fossa.Radical tumor resection (Simpson Grade I or II) was achieved in nine (75%) of the 12 patients. Two patients underwent subtotal resection (Simpson Grade III), and one patient underwent complete resection of tumor at the posterior fossa with subtotal resection at the middle fossa. There were no deaths or severe complications in this series; all patients did well postoperatively, being independent at the time of their last follow-up examinations (mean 5.6 years). Neurological deficits included facial paresis in one patient and worsening of hearing in two patients.Conclusions. Theapproach described here is a useful modification of the retrosigmoid approach, which allows resection of large petroclival tumors without the need for supratentorial craniotomies. Although technically meticulous, this approach is not time-consuming; it is safe and can produce good results. This is the first report on the use of this approach for petroclival meningiomas.


1984 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff S. Compton ◽  
Nicholas W. C. Dorsch

✓ A case is reported of a 45-year-old man who developed quadriplegia following a trivial motor-vehicle accident. Investigation including computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spine revealed a large calcified lesion displacing the spinal cord and nerve roots, which proved to be a tuberculoma. The case is unusual in regard to the age of the patient, the size, location, and nature of the lesion, the mode of presentation, and the delineation of the lesion by CT scanning.


1985 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Andries Bosch ◽  
Gustaaf N. Beute

✓ A healthy young woman developed a rapidly progressive pontomedullary lesion 24 hours after delivery of her first child. The lesion was shown on computerized tomography (CT) to be a primary hematoma. Stereotaxic aspiration was carried out, and the patient recovered. Angiography and CT scanning demonstrated a vascular lesion compatible with an arteriovenous malformation.


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