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Multiple gangliogliomas

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male
mri

Multiple right cerebral cystic masses with enhancing mural nodules. 

pathology

The sections from all the specimens show features of moderately cellular glial tumor with similar appearances. In some parts, increased numbers of dysmorphic neurons are seen. They seem to aggregate with uneven distribution. They have enlarged nuclei, prominent nucleoli and abnormally clumped Nissl substance. They stain with B-tubulin, p16, p53 and focally with synaptophysin and Neu-N. They are GFAP, IDH-1 and MGMT negative.

Elsewhere, there are scattered bipolar astrocytes, which show focal fascicular arrangement. The tumor cells have elongated and hyperchromatic nuclei. There are some Rosenthal fibers and many eosinophilic granular bodies in the background. Perivascular lymphocytes, along with clumps of calcification are noted. No mitoses are seen. No microvascular proliferation or necrosis is present. The features are those of ganglioglioma with the glial component being pilocytic astrocytoma. The topoisomerase index is less than 1%.

DIAGNOSIS:

Ganglioglioma (WHO Grade I) with the glial component being pilocytic astrocytoma.

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates multiple gangliogliomas presenting as cystic lesions with mural nodules, the most common appearance encountered.

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