Gliomatosis cerebri presenting with optic nerve involvement: MRI

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare form of astrocytoma characterized by extreme infiltration of the brain structure in conjunction with a relative paucity of clinical findings. We describe the MRI findings in a patient with gliomatosis cerebri widely infiltrating the brain who presented with symptoms related to involvement of the optic nerves and chiasm. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed enlargement of the optic nerves and chiasm with pathological enhancement; T2-weighted images showed extensive infiltration of the brain by tumor. Histopathologic examination of the biopsy specimen showed anaplastic astrocytoma with gemistocytic predominance and a diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri was reached.