A Rare WHO Grade I Lesion of the Posterior Fossa with Recurrence Biological Behavior ­ Dysplastic Gangliocytoma of the Cerebellum: Case Report

Dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum (DGC) or Lhermitte-Duclos Disease is a rare lesion (World Health Organization [WHO] grade I) characterized by thickened folia and replacement of the internal granular layer by abnormal ganglion cells. More commonly, the compromised patients are young adults presenting ataxia, seizures, obstructive hydrocephalus, and increased intracranial pressure. Dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum is intimately associated with Cowden syndrome, a hereditary disorder caused by a germline mutation in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 10q23. Large neurons of DCG show vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Expansion of the internal granular layer determines vacuolization of the molecular layer and white matter, which can be related to the bright stripes identified on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Herein, the authors report a female patient who developed long- time recurrence of DGC and discuss pathological findings and differential diagnosis of this rare cerebellar lesion.

MRI manifestations of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To discuss MRI characteristics of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum.Methods MRI manifesta-tions of 13 cases with dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum verified by operation and pathology were analyzed retrospectively. Results All of 13 cases were located in the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis.The lesions presented striated pattern of iso-intensity signal and hypo-intensity signal on T1-weighted images.The sign of tiger stripes was the feature in dysplastic gangliocytoma on T2-weighted and FLAIR images.All of the tumors showed slightly striated enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast agent.The mass effects of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum along with the forth ventricle and brain stem oppressed were seen in all cases.NAA was mildly reduced on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)in 7 cases of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum.Conclusion There are distinctive manifestations in MRI images for dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum,which has crucial diagnostic value before operation.

Enfermedad de Lhermitte-Duclos: Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Lhermitte-Duclos disease: Case report and review of literature

Introducción. El gangliocitoma displásico del cerebelo fue descrito originalmente en 1920 por Lhermitte y Duelos, autores a quienes se les debe el epónimo de esta enfermedad. Es una entidad rara, caracterizada por ser una masa tumoral unilateral de la corteza cerebelosa, de crecimiento muy lento, que produce un aumento de la presión intracraneana. En 1991 Padberg y col. describieron la asociación de la enfermedad Lhermitte-Duclos y el síndrome de Cowden (SC). Aún no se ha comprendido completamente la biología molecular que asocia a estas enfermedades, sin embargo se ha comprobado en estudios modelos animales (ratones) mutaciones del gen homólogo de fosfatasa y tensina suprimido del cromosoma 10 (PTEN). Las imágenes de resonancia magnética son características de esta entidad, de tal manera que permiten hacer el diagnóstico preoperatorio sin la necesidad de estudios histopatológicos, permitiendo una evaluación y manejo neuroquirúrgico adecuados. Caso clínico. Se informa el caso de una mujer de 17 años con enfermedad de Lhermitte-Duclos del hemisferio cerebeloso derecho no asociado a SC, en quien el diagnóstico se estableció en el transoperatorio con improntas de la lesión cerebelosa. Conclusión. No existen publicaciones previas que describan las características cito lógicas de la lesión, y en este caso sí fue posible estudiarlas.

Introduction. Dysplastic cerebellar gangliocytoma was first described in 1920 by Lhermitte and Duelos, authors who gave their name to the entity. It is a rare condition, which is characterized by a very slowly growing unilateral tumor mass of the cerebellar cortex, producing increased intracranial pressure. In 1991 Padberg et al. described the association of Lhermitte-Duclos disease and Cowden syndrome. The relationship between these 2 entities has been associated with mutations of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome (PTEN) gene. Magnetic resonance imaging findings are the hallmark of this entity, and the diagnosis is established without hystopathologic studies. Case report. We inform a case of a 17 years old girl with Lhermitte-Duclos of the right cerebellar hemisphere without Cowden syndrome.

Dysplastic Gangliocytoma of Cerebellum(Lhermitte-Duclos Disease): Relation to Cowden Disease

We report a case of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum(Lhermitte-Duclos disease) that can cause progressive mass effect in the posterior fossa. Cowden disease is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mucocutaneous hamartoma and high incidences of systemic malignancies. The patient had no mucocutaneous lesions indicating Cowden disease. With recent advances in molecular genetics, the association between Lhermitte-Duclos disease and Cowden disease has been recognized, it is considered that Cowden disease is a new phakomatosis. Recognition of this association has direct clinical relevance and long term follow up may lead to the early detection of malignancy.

Lhermitte-Duclos Disease(Dyslastic Gangliocytoma of the Cerebellum): A Case Report with Review of the Literature

No abstract available.

Lhermitte-Duclos Disease in a Sudden Death: An autopsy case

Lhermitte-Duclos disease of the cerebellum manifests itself as a slowly growing mass formed by abnormal neurons that appear more malformative than tumoral. Although most cases show satisfactory clinical evolution, several cases, not recognized in life, died abruptly, usually from respiratory arrest. We recently experienced a 19 year old male, who died suddenly during alcohol drinking. At autopsy, the cerebellum revealed thickening of the folia over two limited areas. Microscopically, the lesion was characterized by proliferation of abnormal neuronal cells with excessive myelination of their axons, disappearance of Purkinie cells and greatly reduced white mater. Theories regarding the pathogenesis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease were reviewed and discussed.