Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour: the Western Australian experience

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNET) is a rare tumour that is usually seen in the context of epilepsy surgery. The purpose of this study was to provide a profile of DNET in an unbiased population. The 2020 brain tumours diagnosed in Western Australia in the 10-year period 1982-1991 were reviewed; 5 cases of DNET were identified. All patients were neurologically intact and presented with complex partial seizures from a young age. Surgery was performed for tumour resection or biopsy in all cases; no patient underwent surgery specifically for epilepsy control. The lesions were intracortical, multinodular and were composed of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons. Three patients underwent total or subtotal resection and their seizures were either abolished or reduced in frequency. Two patients had biopsies only and were clinically unchanged. There has been no evidence of recurrence in up to 8 years' follow-up. The diagnosis of DNET is important because it is a surgically treatable benign tumour.