[Glioblastoma multiforme: a high-malignancy astrocytoma. Report of a clinical case with sudden onset]. / Glioblastoma multiforme: astrocitoma ad alta malignità. Descrizione di un caso clinico ad esordio improvviso.

We report the case of a child, 11 years old, admitted to our hospital for headache persisting for a week, without any other symptoms. CT scanner was performed, showing an infiltrating lesion of right parietal-temporal lobe. MRI confirmed the diagnosis. The histological examination showed a glioblastoma multiforme. This brain tumor is rare during pediatric age and presents a poor prognosis. The case reported emphasises the importance to give attention to an sudden and persistent headache in children without other symptoms and in a good state of health.

A rapid unfavorable outcome of Wegener's granulomatosis in early childhood.

Wegener's Granulomatosis was suspected in a 27-month-old female with a nodular, necrotizing lesion of the nose, diffuse subcutaneous nodules, and erythematous desquamation of the entire body. From 20 months of age on she had a purulent nasal discharge, recurrent infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, a Coombs positive anemia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Treatment with azathioprine and corticosteroids produced transient improvement but three months later a dramatic relapse occurred. Cyclophosphamide was substituted for azathioprine but 10 days later the patient died and the autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Wegener's Granulomatosis. The early age of onset of the disease may explain the unfavorable outcome, despite treatment with cytotoxic agents.