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Pilomyxoid astrocytoma of the fourth ventricle in an adult

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Abstract

Pilomyxoid astrocytomas have been identified as a variant of pilocytic astrocytoma. They are listed as a novel clinico-pathological entity in the 2007 World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of tumours of the central nervous system. This tumour corresponds to a WHO grade II neoplasm whereas pilocytic astrocytoma corresponds to WHO grade I. We have encountered an infratentorial tumour with pilomyxoid features in an adult. A 25 year old man presented with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Brain MRI revealed a mass occupying the fourth ventricle. We performed partial resection, but no adjuvant therapy was given. The staining index for the anti-Ki-67 monoclonal antibody MIB-1 was less than 1% in this patient. Pilomyxoid astrocytomas are not limited to the hypothalamic/chiasmatic region in children. Additional knowledge and recognition of this entity is necessary to improve treatment of pilomyxoid astrocytoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3–2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359–8513, Japan

    Tomoko Omura, Hiroshi Nawashiro, Hideo Osada & Katsuji Shima

  2. Department of Basic Pathology, National Defense Medical College, 3–2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359–8513, Japan

    Hitoshi Tsuda

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Defense Medical College Hospital, 3–2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359–8513, Japan

    Aida Shinsuke

Authors
  1. Tomoko Omura
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  2. Hiroshi Nawashiro
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  3. Hideo Osada
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  4. Katsuji Shima
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  5. Hitoshi Tsuda
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  6. Aida Shinsuke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroshi Nawashiro.

Additional information

CommentThe authors report on a rare case of pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) in a fourth ventricle in an adult, an unusual case regarding the location and age for this histological type of tumor. This article is very interesting, and call the neurosurgeons to debate on the best therapy in PMA to improve the prognosis.

The case report was very accurately presented and is the first case of PMA of the fourth ventricle in adults of the literature.

Teodora Camelia Coman

Bucharest, Romania

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Omura, T., Nawashiro, H., Osada, H. et al. Pilomyxoid astrocytoma of the fourth ventricle in an adult. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 150, 1203–1206 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-008-0032-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-008-0032-4

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