Hypothalamic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract

Hemorrhage of juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas is very rare. However, it is clinically important because a high probability of a fatal outcome exists if hemorrhage occurs outside the optic nerve. Hemorrhage of a hypothalamic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma has been reported only once, from an autopsy examination. We present a successfully managed case. The patient, a 34-year-old man, presented with sudden loss of consciousness. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an exophytic hypothalamic tumor with a hemorrhage. Craniotomy with total removal of the tumor and the hematoma was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed that the tumor was a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. Brain CT examination 18 months later revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence. The patient was well, without neurologic deficit, and had a normal social life as of the last follow-up examination 22 months after craniotomy.