A case of desmoplastic astrocytoma developing in an adult

Abstract

A rare case of desmoplastic astrocytoma developing in an adult was reported. A 23-year-old man presented with headache and a right homonymous hemianopsia. Computed tomography revealed a solid tumor (3×4×4cm) with a cyst-like portion in the left parietal lobe. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging more clearly depicted a densely enhancing solid tumor with a suspicious dural attachment along the parieto-occipital convexity. A left parieto-occipital craniotomy was performed under the preoperative diagnosis of meningioma and the tumor was totally resected. Histological examination revealed areas of spindle-shaped tumor cells in a storiform pattern quite compactly arranged in sheets, bundles, and lobules separated by thick connective tissue. The tumor cells were immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). No ganglion cells were identified among the tumor cells. There were some areas with no demarcation from brain tissue and the tumor appeared to partially invade the brain parenchyma. Some mitotic figures and necrotic areas were also noticed, but no endothelial proliferation was seen. This tumor was diagnosed as a desmoplastic astrocytoma.