Circumscribed astrocytic gliomas: Contribution of molecular analyses to histopathology diagnosis in the WHO CNS5 classification

The newest revision of the WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system, also known as WHO 5th edition, introduces substantial changes, especially within the glial tumor category and separates adult-type and pediatric-type glial tumors into different categories for the first time. In addition, another category of glial tumors, “Circumscribed Astrocytic Gliomas” were also created. This group includes pilocytic astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, chordoid glioma, astroblastoma, and the highly nebulous novel entity high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features. We present a brief and critical review of the pathological and molecular characteristics of these often well-demarcated tumors that can occur in adults as well as in the pediatric population.

Spectrum of Mri Findings in Pediatric Epilepsy–Medical and Surgical Causes of Epilepsy in Children And its’ Radiological Correlation

@#Introduction: Epilepsy is the common condition encountered in both adults and pediatric population. It occurs as a result of various spectrum of etiology ranging from infections to tumors. EEG and Neurosonogram can characterize the type of epilepsy; however, imaging is the only tool to identify the lesion, its location, and extent and resection possibility. CT was the only modality before the era of MRI. However, CT was only used to identify the lesion with hemorrhage and calcification. It is having the disadvantage of having poor spatial resolution and using radiation. The era of MRI has changed the imaging due to its higher spatial resolution, gray white matter differentiation, status of myelination and non-utilization of radiation. Purpose: The aim of study was to detect and characterize various lesions causing epilepsy in pediatric age group (0-12 years) and also to detect frequency with which they occurred using MRI. Methods: The study was performed on 50 children under the age of 12 years over a period of 1 year who presented with epilepsy. Patients with trauma and febrile seizure disorders were excluded. Conventional and contrast MRI was performed in all cases and lesions were characterized in location, signal intensity, and other features. Results: The mean age group of the study population was 1-5 years. Generalized seizures constituted the major seizure group. Our study shows infection as the most common etiology followed by mesial temporal sclerosis and Focal cortical dysplasia. It was followed by neoplastic etiology, phacomatosis and demyelinating diseases. Conclusion: MRI is the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of pediatric patients presenting with epilepsy. Proper MRI seizure protocol helps to establish the correct diagnosis, plan the management according to diagnosis as well as helps in prognosis.

Astroblastoma in a Young Female Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review of Clinicopathological, Radiological and Prognostic Characteristics and Current Treatment Strategies

Astroblastoma is an uncommon glial tumor with predominant manifestation in the young age. Herein, we report a case of 18-year-old astroblastoma female patient who presented with history of two months headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated well circumscribed, intra-axial abnormal signal intensity lesion (size=5×4 cm²) in the right parieto-occipital region of the brain. The patient underwent complete surgical resection of the gross tumor, as confirmed by an early post-surgical MRI (i.e., within 24 hours of surgery). Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic lesion exhibiting perivascular pseudo-rosettes with centrally hyalinized blood vessel and focal nuclear pleomorphism. Immunohistochemistry staining illustrated reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein and integrase interactor 1 (INI-1). These features rendered the diagnosis of astroblastoma. A comprehensive review of the current literature to summarize the clinicopathological and radiological characteristics, prognostic factors and current treatment strategies of astroblastomas is also presented. Our study would expand the pool of this uncommon tumor towards its better understanding and optimal treatment.

Astroblastoma de bajo grado en lóbulo temporal / Astroblastoma of low grade in temporal lobe

Antecedentes: El astroblastoma es uno de los tumores más inusuales del sistema nervioso central, cuya histogénesis no ha sido determinada. Ocurre principalmente en niños y adultos jóvenes, pero se ha descrito casos congénitos y en adultos mayores. En general predomina en mujeres, con una relación de 2:1. Son de localización supratentorial en el 91% de los casos. El cuadro clínico depende de la localización, pero generalmente se presentan con cefalea, déficit neurológico, aumento de la presión intracraneal, náuseas, vómitos, alteraciones visuales y convulsiones. Macroscópicamente es una lesión bien delimitada e histológicamente muestra,las características pseudorosetas perivasculares con hialinización vascular frecuente y positividad variable para la proteína fibrilarglial ácida, proteína S100, vimentina y positividad focal para el antígeno epitelial de membrana. Presentación de caso:masculino de 37 años, con cefalea y crisis convulsiva parcial, y en quien los estudios de imagen por resonancia magnética evidenciaron una lesión quística en el lóbulo temporal izquierdo, con los hallazgos histológicos característicos de astroblastoma.Conclusión: Los astroblastomas son neoplasias raras, generalmente bien circunscritos y no infiltrativos, cuyo pronóstico depende del grado histológicoy la resección completa del tumor...

A Cerebral Astroblastoma Mimicking an Extra-axial Neoplasm

Astroblastoma is a rarely diagnosed primary brain neoplasm whose histogenesis has been clarified recently. It occurs in children and young adults and presents as a well circumscribed, contrast-enhancing lesion in the cerebral hemisphere. We present a case of 20-year-old woman with an astroblastoma in the left temporal convexity that was treated with total tumor resection alone. We thought the mass was extra-axial neoplasm based on radiological findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging initially, but later, we obtained angiographic findings suggesting an intra-axial neoplasm. The patient is doing well even two years after surgery. The characteristic radiological and histopathological features of this case are described with a literature review. An astroblastoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a superficially located tumor presenting with the findings of an extra-axial mass, especially in a young patient.

A Case of Astroblastoma

An astroblastoma is a rare primary glial tumor occurring preferentially in young adults. It is characterized by a perivascular arrangement of the tumor cells forming perivascular pseudorosettes mimicking ependymomas. The histogenesis of astroblastoma is unclear, despite a number of studies to determine its possible cellular origin. We have experienced a case of astroblastoma located at the temporal lobe. It presented as a large, wellcircumscribed, and highly enhanced mass lesion on magnetic resonance images(MRI). The tumor was well demarcated and did not infiltrate the brain, which made complete removal possible. Here, we report and discuss the characteristic histological and radiological features of this case.

Astroblastoma: A Case Report

Astroblastoma is one of the very unusual type of tumors, whose histogenesis has not been clarified. It occurs mainly among children or young adults. Astroblastoma is grossly well-demarcated, and shows histologically characteristic perivascular pseudorosettes with frequent vascular hyalinization. Perivascular pseudorosettes in astroblastoma have short and thick cytoplasmic processes and blunt-ended foot plates. A 15-yr-old girl presented with headache and diplopia for one and a half year. A welldemarcated mass, 9.7 cm in diameter, was found in the right frontal lobe in brain MRI, and it was a well-enhanced inhomogenous mass. Cystic changes of various sizes were observed inside the tumor mass as well as in the posterior part of the mass, but no peritumoral edema was found. Histologically, this mass belongs to a typical astroblastoma, and no sign of anaplastic astrocytoma, gemistocytic astrocytoma or glioblastoma was found in any part of the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse strong positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, vimentin and neuron specific enolase, and focal positivity for epithelial membrane antigen and CAM 5.2, while showing negativity for synaptophysin, neurofilament protein, pan-cytokeratin and high molecular weight keratin.