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Hypothalamic tumour with haemorrhage
1Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. bindira@nimhans.kar.nic.in
Summary
Haemorrhage is rare in low-grade glioma. A pediatric case highlights a fatal outcome from a bleeding pilocytic astrocytoma, emphasizing intracranial tumors as a cause of sudden death.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Low-grade gliomas are uncommon in children.
- Hemorrhage within a low-grade glioma is a rare event.
- Pilocytic astrocytomas represent the most common pediatric brain tumor.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old boy presented with sudden loss of consciousness.
- Head CT revealed an anterior third ventricular tumor with bleeding, intraventricular hemorrhage, and hydrocephalus.
- The patient expired within 26 hours of symptom onset.
Findings:
- Autopsy confirmed a hemorrhagic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma originating from the lateral hypothalamus.
- Intraventricular hemorrhage was a significant finding.
- The tumor was identified as the cause of death.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for sudden, fatal hemorrhage in pediatric low-grade gliomas.
- Highlights the importance of considering intracranial tumors in cases of unexplained sudden death.
- Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and management of pediatric brain tumors, even those considered low-grade.