Gliomatosis cerebri: report of 3 cases

Abstract

Gliomatosis cerebri is an uncommon glial neoplasm that is exceedingly rare in children and difficult to diagnose. The authors describe the presentation and diagnosis of GC in 3 children ages 12, 14, and 16 years. These children exhibited signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure as well as other vague or site specific neurological signs. Because clinical presentation, CSF analysis, and neuroimaging were nonspecific, a stereotactic biopsy to obtain tissue for pathological review was ultimately necessary to confirm the diagnosis. These pediatric cases underscore the limitations of relying solely on clinical presentation and neuroimaging and call to attention the essential role of neurosurgical intervention. The authors emphasize the need to maintain gliomatosis cerebri in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with diffuse neurological signs and MR imaging evidence of widespread, infiltrative lesions.