Abstract
Ganglioglioma is a tumour of the central nervous system composed of an admixture of dysplastic nerve cells resembling pleomorphic ganglion cells, and glial elements, which may be astrocytic and/or oligodendroglial in appearance. A series of 12 patients aged between 9 months and 15 years 9 months, all of whom had suffered epilepsy refractory to medical treatment for up to 8 years, is presented. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance scans were of prime use in localisation of the tumours. Calcification was noted preoperatively in 4 of 12 cases. The majority of patients obtained at least partial relief from symptoms after complete or partial resection. Histologically, 11 of the tumours included grade 1 astrocytic elements and the remaining one exhibited grade 2 areas. The diagnosis of ganglioglioma should be suspected in a child with refractory, longstanding epilepsy. Prognosis of these tumours is determined by the astrocytic component; if this is of low grade, surgical excision may result in marked symptomatic improvement or cure.
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Smith, N.M., Carli, M.M., Hanieh, A. et al. Gangliogliomas in childhood. Child's Nerv Syst 8, 258–262 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00300792
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00300792