Pontine Malignant Astrocytoma With Hemorrhagic Onset-Case Report-

Abstract

A 7-year-old boy presented with acute onset of left hemiparesis and headache, followed by disturbance of consciousness. Neuroimaging studies showed pontine hemorrhage. Surgery was performed to remove a massive hematoma. Histological examination of the wall revealed anaplastic astrocytoma. Postoperative radiation therapy and several types of chemotherapy were administered. However, the tumor recurred and he died 9 months after onset. Hemorrhagic onset of pontine glioma is rare and carries an extremely poor prognosis.

Letters to the Editor

“…Pontine gliomas with haemorrhagic and stroke‐like onset have a very poor prognosis as they are highly malignant. 3 However, our patient has a grade 2 astrocytoma which represents a lower grade. A possibility that the tumour may have heterogeneous areas of varying grades and that the more malignant area may have bled is also likely.…”