September 2001: 51-year-old man with seizures since childhood

The September 2001 COM. A 51 year old man with refractory seizures presented with a recent seizure while at work but no other neurologic deficit. Imaging studies demonstrated a solid and cystic lesion of the right temporal lobe. Microscopic and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated an atypical ganglioglioma due to the presence of neurofibrillary tangles within the neoplastic ganglion cell component. This is the fifth case reported in the literature. Neoplastic ganglion cells and neurofibrillary tangles are discussed both separately and as integral components of this rare tumor.