Imaging characteristics of an unusual, high-grade angiocentric glioma: A case report and review of the literature.

Authors

  • Hector Noel Aguilar
  • Ryan Wei Yan Hung
  • Vivek Mehta
  • Trevor Kotylak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v6i10.1134

Keywords:

angiocentric glioma, MR imaging, MR tractography, diffusion tensor imaging, MR spectroscopy

Abstract

Angiocentric gliomas have recently been reclassified as a separate central nervous system tumor. Few cases have been reported, and most of those correspond to slow-growing, low-grade neoplasms in very young pediatric patients. Here we describe magnetic resonance imaging findings (including diffusion imaging, spectroscopy and tractography) in an unusual higher-grade neoplasm with pathologic features suggestive of an angiocentric glioma in a 15-year-old male. The tumor had mild heterogeneous enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging, and a low apparent diffusion coefficient (9.9 x 10-4 mm2s-1), consistent with an intermediate-to-high cellularity tumor. Spectroscopic imaging showed an elevated choline/phosphocreatine and choline/N-acetyl aspartate ratios, suggesting an unusually aggressive tumor. We conclude that angiocentric glioma should not be excluded from consideration at primary diagnosis, particularly in teenaged patients nearing adulthood.

Author Biographies

Hector Noel Aguilar

2A2.41 Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre

Department of Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB

Canada T6G 2R7

Ryan Wei Yan Hung

2A2.41 Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre

Department of Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB

Canada T6G 2R7

Vivek Mehta

2D2.01 WC Mackenzie Hlth Sci Ctr

Division of Neurosugery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
Canada T6G 2R7

Trevor Kotylak

2A2.41 Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre

Department of Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB

Canada T6G 2R7

Published

2012-10-23

Issue

Section

Neuroradiology