Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Full-Endoscopic Surgery for Hypothalamic Hamartoma Resection
Published on: April 12, 2024
An infant with hyperalertness, hyperkinesis, and failure to thrive: a rare diencephalic syndrome due to hypothalamic
Alessia Stival1, Maurizio Lucchesi2, Silvia Farina3
1Neuro-oncology Unit, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital and Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. alessia.stival@gmail.com.
Background:
Diencephalic Syndrome is a rare clinical condition of failure to thrive despite a normal caloric intake, hyperalertness, hyperkinesis, and euphoria usually associated with low-grade hypothalamic astrocytomas.
Case Presentation:
We reported an unusual case of diencephalic cachexia due to hypothalamic anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO-grade III). Baseline endocrine function evaluation was performed in this patient before surgery. After histological diagnosis, he enrolled to a chemotherapy program with sequential high-dose chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell rescue. The last MRI evaluation showed a good response. The patient is still alive with good visual function 21 months after starting chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
Diencephalic cachexia can rarely be due to high-grade hypothalamic astrocytoma. We suggest that a nutritional support with chemotherapy given to high doses without radiotherapy could be an effective strategy for treatment of a poor-prognosis disease.
Related Concept Videos
Diencephalon: Anatomical Regions
Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...
Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

