- Gliomatosis cerebri
Infobox_Disease
Name = Gliomatosis cerebri
Caption =
DiseasesDB =
ICD10 =
ICD9 =
ICDO = 9381/3
OMIM =
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MeshID = D018302Gliomatosis cerebri (infiltrative diffuse astrocytosis) is a rare primary
brain tumor . It is commonly characterized by diffuse infiltration of the brain with neoplasticglial cells that affect various areas of the cerebral lobes [ [http://rad.usuhs.mil/medpix/radpix.html?mode=single&comebackto=mode%3Dgeo_browse&recnum=923 Gliomatosis Cerebri, MedPix : 923 - Medical Image Database and Atlas ] ] .While gliomatosis cerebri can occur at any age, it is generally found in the third and fourth decades of life.
Presentation
It may affect any part of the
brain or even thespinal cord ,optic nerve and compactwhite matter . Clinical manifestations are indefinite, and includeheadache ,seizures , visual disturbances,corticospinal tract deficits,lethargy , anddementia .Diagnosis
Before the advent of
MRI , diagnosis was generally not established untilautopsy . Even with MRI, however, diagnosis is difficult.cite journal |author=Bendszus M, Warmuth-Metz M, Klein R, "et al" |title=MR spectroscopy in gliomatosis cerebri |journal=AJNR Am J Neuroradiol |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=375–80 |year=2000 |pmid=10696026 |doi= |url=http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10696026] Typically, gliomatosis cerebri appears as a diffuse, poorly circumscribed, infiltrating non-enhancing lesion that is hyperintense on T2-weighted images and expands the cerebral white matter. It is difficult to distinguish from highly infiltrateanaplastic astrocytoma or GBM.cite web |url=http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/Rad/neurocases/Neurocase01.htm |title=Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center |accessdate=2008-02-06 |format= |work=]Prognosis
The prognosis for gliomatosis cerebri is generally poor, with a median survival time of only 12 months. [ [http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site963/mainpageS963P0.html Gliomatosis Cerebri - My Child Has - Children's Hospital Boston ] ] Surgery is not practical considering the extent of the disease, standard
chemotherapy (nitrosourea) has been unsuccessful, and while brain irradiation can stabilize or improve neurologic function in some patients, its impact on survival has yet to be proven.Fact|date=February 2007Notes
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