Gangliogliomas are rare tumors of the Central Nervous System. Five gangliogliomas were diagnosed out of 1560 brain tumours surgically resected out in a period of 5 years accounting for 0. 32%. We have tried to discuss in detail the pathological features of these tumours and have mentioned the clinical and radiological features associated with them. All the slides, tissue blocks and pathology reports of the surgical specimens of gangliglioma were reviewed and the clinical and radiological data reviewed. The ages of the patients ranged from 7-65 years with 4 males and 1 female. The tumors were located in the lateral ventricle (a rare site), temporal, parietal and the frontal lobes with duration of seizures varying from 1-9 years. The tumors were diagnosed by the presence of a dual population of neoplastic ganglionic and glial components. The glial components consisted of pilocytic astrocytes (l case), fibrillary astrocytes (2 cases), oligodendrocytes (1 case) and anaplastic astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (1 case). There was one-grade I GG, three-Grade II GGs and one-grade III GG. Astrocytes were the commonest glial component of GGs, either pilocytic or fibrillary. Oligodendrocytes as the glial component of GGs was seen in 2 cases one of which was anaplastic and this is a rare finding. (+info)
Hemangiopericytoma in the trigone of the lateral ventricle--case report.
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A 40-year-old male presented with hemangiopericytoma in the lateral ventricle manifesting as headaches persisting for 6 months associated with vomiting and visual obscurations for one month. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a large tumor in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle. The highly vascular tumor was completely excised. The histological diagnosis was hemangiopericytoma. Hemangiopericytoma is rarely located in the lateral ventricle and is difficult to differentiate from meningioma by neuroimaging methods. (+info)
Supratentorial extraventricular ependymal neoplasms: a clinicopathologic study of 32 patients.
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BACKGROUND: Published research on the clinicopathologic features of extraventricular ependymal neoplasms of the cerebral hemispheres has been scant. METHODS: Thirty-two archival cases were studied to investigate the prognostic impact of clinicopathologic parameters including flow cytometry, the proliferation (Ki-67) labeling index, and p53 expression. RESULTS: Among these 32 cases were 2 subependymomas, 19 ependymomas, and 11 anaplastic ependymomas. No significant gender predilection was observed, and 45% of patients were in their second or third decade of life. The left cerebral hemisphere was 1.5 times more commonly involved. On available imaging studies, lesions were often cystic, with or without a mural nodule. Tumors expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (87%), S-100 protein (77%), cytokeratin (43%), and epithelial membrane antigen (17%). Ki-67 proliferation index paralleled tumor grade. Immunoreactivity for p53 protein was observed in the 2 cases of subependymoma, in 10 of 11 anaplastic ependymomas, and in 6 of 17 ependymomas. Flow cytometry performed in 27 tumors revealed diploidy in 20 cases and aneuploidy in 4 cases (3 anaplastic and 1 classic ependymomas), with S-phase fraction ranging from 0.2-9.7. Eleven subjects were additionally treated with radiotherapy, and 3 with chemotherapy. Follow up was available in 25 (78%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that there is no significant relation between histopathology, Ki-67 proliferation index, p53 immunolabeling, tumor ploidy, and biologic behavior. (+info)
Polysialic acid facilitates tumor invasion by glioma cells.
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Polysialic acid (PSA) is thought to attenuate neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) adhesion, thereby facilitating neural cell migration and regeneration. Although the expression of PSA has been shown to correlate with the progression of certain tumors such as small cell lung carcinoma, there have been no studies to determine the roles of PSA in gliomas, the most common type of primary brain tumor in humans. In this study, we first revealed that among patients with glioma, PSA was detected more frequently in diffuse astrocytoma cells, which spread extensively. To determine directly the role of PSA in glioma cell invasion, we transfected C6 glioma cells with polysialyltransferases to express PSA. In those transfected cells, PSA is attached mainly to NCAM-140, whereas the mock-transfected C6 cells express equivalent amounts of PSA-free NCAM-140. Both PSA negative and positive C6 cell lines exhibited almost identical growth rates measured in vitro. However, PSA positive C6 cells exhibited increased invasion to the corpus callosum, where the mock-transfected C6 glioma cells rarely invaded when inoculated into the brain. By contrast, the invasion to the corpus callosum by both the mock-transfected and PSA positive C6 cells was observed in NCAM-deficient mice. These results combined indicate that PSA facilitates tumor invasion of glioma in the brain, and that NCAM-NCAM interaction is likely attenuated in the PSA-mediated tumor invasion. (+info)
Well-circumscribed, minimally enhancing glioblastoma multiforme of the trigone: a case report and review of the literature.
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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known to present within the lateral ventricle but is relatively infrequent and predominantly found in the frontal horn or body of the ventricle. A GBM located within the trigone is rare, and one that appears well-circumscribed, homogeneous, and minimally contrast enhancing, as demonstrated in this patient, is highly unusual. (+info)
Microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle via an improved transventricular approach.
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BACKGROUND: Craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle is difficult to treat and its therapeutic regimens and operative approaches have been controversial. This study was undertaken to probe indications for microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle via an improved transventricular approach, its surgical procedures and therapeutic effects, and prevention of postoperative complications. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle were treated from January 2000 to October 2004 by an improved transventricular approach for removing the tumor via the interventricular foramen, the intermedius of the septum pellucidum or choroid fissure. Symptoms and signs of the patients, and results of imaging, operation, and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients who had received the improved transventricular resection, 4 underwent a combined approach with an entrance of the pterion. Forty patients (78.43%) underwent total resection and others subtotal resection, without an operative death. Epileptic seizures were found in 3 patients (5.88%) and subdural effusion in the operative field in 4 (7.84%). All patients showed good general conditions after operation, and follow-up for an average of 27.52 months showed relapse of the tumour in 8 patients (15.69%). CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle by an improved transventricular approach has advantages of operative safety and efficacy, lower mortality and disability, and less complications. (+info)
Clinical and pathological characteristics of septum pellucidum tumor and choice of surgical approaches for its resection.
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BACKGROUND: Tumor involving the septum pellucidum is uncommon. Surgery as the main therapeutic procedure for this lesion is a challenge to neurosurgeons. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and pathological features of septum pellucidum tumor in 41 patients and compared the curative effects of frontal transcortical, trans-sulcal and interhemispheric transcallosal approaches. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and the pathological features of septum pellucidum tumor were investigated retrospectively in 41 patients. The differences in postoperative residual rates, extents of tumors and resection of normal brain tissues after use of the three approaches in these patients were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Septum pellucidum tumor is more likely to attack young or middle-aged persons. The tumor mainly presents itself as a central neurocytoma or cerebral low-grade glioma in pathology and manifests as intracranial hypertension clinically. No difference was found in the extent of tumor resection but significant difference in the extent of normal brain tissue resection and in postoperative disability rate among the three approaches. The transcortical approach brought about the most serious injury to brain tissue and the highest disability rate, Whereas the frontal transcallosal approach the lightest injury and the lowest disability rate. The injury to brain tissue and the disability rate brought about by the front trans-sulcus approach were between the above two approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Operation is still regarded the major treatment for septum pellucidum tumor. Transcallosal and trans-sulcus approaches are fit with the concept of minimally invasive surgery, and transcallosal approach is the first choice for septum pellucidum tumor. (+info)
Central neurocytoma with craniospinal dissemination.
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We report a case of central neurocytoma that manifested tumor recurrence with craniospinal dissemination. Imaging studies before surgery showed a markedly enhanced tumor with small cysts and calcification, which invaded the adjacent brain parenchyma, located in the posterior horn of the right lateral ventricle. Proton MR spectroscopy showed markedly elevated choline and lactate peaks with a strongly diminished N-acetylaspartate peak. Two years after neurosurgical intervention, the tumor showed multiple craniospinal dissemination in the middle cranial fossa and the intradural extramedullary space of the spine. (+info)