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Low-grade astrocytoma

Case contributed by Saeed Soltany Hosn
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Presented with seizure. The previous medical history was unremarkable. Brain MRI was performed for further evaluation.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male
mri

MRI shows an ill defined right frontal mass which is heterogeneously low signal at T1 and high signal at long TR images associated with mild compression of frontal horn of the lateral ventricle and also mild effacement of the overlying cortex. There is no obvious contrast enhancement and no gross surrounding edema.

fMRI

mri

Functional MRI scan during motion of the hand demonstrates that the motor cortex is superior to the tumor , and not involved by the tumor. Fortunately, in this patient, language function is controlled by the left side of the brain.(yellow dots represent increased blood flow)

Results on Activation of left hand:
Activation area with red color (less z-stat) shows the lowest activation level accepted as significant activation with p-value of p<0.05. The maximum activation strength produced for this patient is also indicated on each image in (yellow color). 

Results on Activation of Language Task
The patient was asked to Reverse Word Reading (RWR) in act blocks
Activation area with red color (less z-stat) shows the lowest activation level accepted as significant activation with p-value of p0.05. The maximum activation strength produced for this patient is also indicated on each image in (yellow color) 

Case Discussion

Image courtesy of Dr Mohammad Hosein Daghighi Professor, Department of Radiology at Tabriz University of Medical Science

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