Unusual intracranial spread of anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Abstract

Oligodendrogliomas are the third most common type of glioma. Oligodendrogliomas are typically indolent tumours, yet the majority of them are incurable and most patients will ultimately die. Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are important to recognise from other primary brain tumours, since they have unique molecular, histological and clinical features. Oligodendroglioma, especially the anaplastic type, has a tendency to intracranial and extracranial metastasis. In this paper, we present an unusual manifestation of anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

Figure 1

Section shows proliferation of oligodendroglial cells with hypercellularity and nuclear pleomorphism. High mitotic figures, vascular proliferation and necrosis are seen.

Figure 2

Brain CT scanning shows a large mass in the right frontal lobe with significant oedema, mass effect and small calcified area in its anteromedial aspect.

Figure 3

Subependymal lesions evident in lateral ventricles, a lesion in the anterior part of right lateral ventricle and a smaller one in lateral of left lateral ventricle.

Figure 4

MRI shows an enhanced lesion in the right side of pons.

Figure 5

MRI shows thickening and enhancement optical chiasma and intracranial of both optic nerves in axial(A) and coronal(B) views.