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Tectal plate glioma

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

One week of ongoing right sided headache, not relieved by simple analgesia. Full neuro exam unremarkable.

Patient Data

Age: 19
Gender: Female
ct

Centered on the left tectal plate is a 8 x 12 x 20mm hyperdensity with foci of calcification. It appears separate from the pineal gland. Third and lateral ventricles are prominent for sulcal pattern although the temporal horns are not dilated. No intra- or extra-axial collection or hemorrhage demonstrated. No bony abnormality demonstrated.

Conclusion: Tectal hyperdense calcified mass lesion with mild hydrocephalus is most likely a tumor (such as tectal glioma or gangliolioma) with non-neoplastic mass (such as cavernoma) a differential. MRI would be helpful for further evaluation.

mri

Non-enhancing T2 hyperintense mass of the dorsal midbrain is centered on the left superior and inferior colliculus, but with signal abnormality extending into the posteroinferior left thalamus as well as crossing the midline and surrounding the cerebral aqueduct. In addition, there is subtle FLAIR signal abnormality in the superior cerebellum, centered just right of midline, presumably due to contiguous spread along the right superior cerebellar peduncle. Although thin slice sagittal sequences centered on the lesion have not been performed, the mass does appear to arise from midbrain, separate from pineal gland.

The main portion of the mass measures 17 x 10 x 16 mm. It contains punctate foci of signal dropout, compatible with the coarse calcific foci identified within the lesion on CT. There is no diffusion restriction or cerebral blood volume (CBV) increase.

Lateral and third ventricles are mildly enlarged for age, consistent with some obstruction to CSF flow through the narrowed cerebral aqueduct.

Remainder of the brain is normal, with no further sites of signal abnormality.

Conclusion:

Mass centered on the left dorsal midbrain has imaging morphology most consistent with a low-grade tumor of glial origin. Although these are most commonly astrocytomas, in the presence of coarse calcification oligodendroglioma or ganglioglioma are considerations.

Case Discussion

This case most likely represents a tectal plate glioma. Biopsy has not been performed at this stage. 

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