Optic nerve glioma in an 18-month-old child

An optic nerve glioma in an 18-month-old child was examined by both light and electron microscopy. The tumor revealed the characteristic features of uniform benign and fibrillary astrocytoma. Rosenthal fibers and calcium depostis were found within numerous intracellular glial processes. The above features indicated a slow-growing tumor of long duration, confirming the generally supported assumption of the congenital nature of optic nerve glioma. One unsuspected feature was the presence of fenestrated blood vessels.