IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Pilocytic astrocytoma - thoracic cord

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient with NF1, now progressive myelopathy.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Intramedullary expansile eccentric and predominantly right sided solid/cystic mass present which demonstrates heterogenous enhancement and measures 10 x 9 x 42 mm (AP x RL x CC) and is centered on the T10 vertebral body and extends from the T9 to the T11 superior endplate (counting from above, from C1).  T2 hyperintensity demonstrated within the cord superior to the mass. Some low T2 signal within but no discrete hemosiderin cap.Bone marrow signal is normal. Alignment is normal.

Annotated image

Large intramedullary tumor (red arrow) is located eccentrically on the right side of the cord. Normal cord tissue can be seen on the left side of the canal, distorted and displaced (yellow dotted line). 

The patient went on to have a laminectomy and macroscopic excision of the tumor. 

pathology

MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: The tumor is a moderately hypercellular lesion  consisting of a loose fascicular arrangement of piloid cells with  coarse, strongly GFAP immunoreactive processes. These cells are  admixed with a population of astrocytes with small round nuclei and a  paucity of processes. Moderate numbers of Rosenthal fibers are noted.   Small caliber thick-walled blood vessels are prominent in some areas of the lesion. No mitotic figures are identified and there is no  vascular endothelial cell hyperplasia and no necrosis. No staining for  IDH-1 or EMA is seen. The Ki-67 proliferative index is <1%.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO Grade I)

Case Discussion

This case illustrates some of the features of a spinal cord pilocytic astrocytoma. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.