Ganglioglioma in the cerebellopontine angle in a child. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The authors report a case of a posterior fossa ganglioglioma centered in the cerebellopontine angle occurring in a child. As with cortically based gangliogliomas, the primary therapy is resection. When the tumor presents in the posterior fossa, often only partial resection can be accomplished without significant neurological deficit. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy remains controversial, although these are usually reserved for high-grade lesions or progressive growth. The literature regarding the natural history, surgical outcomes, and indications for adjuvant therapy is reviewed. Although it occurs rarely, ganglioglioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a posterior fossa mass in a child or young adult.