Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours

Abstract

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours (DNTs) are a group of supratentorial cortical benignant lesions that superficially resemble mixed oligo-astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas or astrocytomas. Clinically these tumours are associated with partial seizures beginning before the age of 20 years, with no neurologic deficit and no stigmata of phacomatosis. In the revised WHO classification, DNTs have been incorporated among the category of neuronal and mixed neuronoglial tumours. This classification describes a histologic variant characterized by the following criteria: cortical location, multinodular architecture--the nodule being made of multiple variants looking like astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas or oligo-astrocytomas, foci of dysplastic cortical disorganization and the presence of a glioneuronal element showing a columnar structure perpendicular to the cortical surface. A study of 14 cases for which only a specific glioneuronal element could be identified demonstrated that this specific element is sufficient for diagnosing DNTs and that the spectrum of DNTs includes a simple form with a unique glioneuronal element. Preoperative imaging follow-up data, in the series of 23 simple and complex forms, indicated that DNTs are perfectly stable. However, these tumours may show a high MIB 1 labeling index.