Adult-type and Pediatric-type Diffuse Gliomas

Abstract

The classification of diffuse gliomas into the adult type and the pediatric type is the new basis for the diagnosis and clinical evaluation. The knowledge for the neuroradiologist should not remain limited to radiological aspects but should be based additionally on the current edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). This classification defines the 11 entities of diffuse gliomas, which are included in the 3 large groups of adult-type diffuse gliomas, pediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas, and pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas. This article provides a detailed overview of important molecular, morphological, and clinical aspects for all 11 entities, such as typical genetic alterations, age distribution, variability of the tumor localization, variability of histopathological and radiological findings within each entity, as well as currently available statistical information on prognosis and outcome. Important differential diagnoses are also discussed.

Review on neuroimaging in pediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas

“…PLNTY must be distinguished from ganglioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, and DNET, all of which are common in the temporal lobe ( 37 ). Ganglioblastoma is another epilepsy-relevant tumor, and it always appears as an isointense signal to the gray matter on T 1 WI ( 19 , 44 ). Calcifications and cystic components are more common in PLNTYs than ganglioblastoma.…”