Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma at the pineal region: rare case report with successful surgical management

• Main Authors: Saraj Kumar Singh, Krishan Kumar Sharma, Tarun Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2021-07-01
• Series: Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery
• Subjects: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma; Pineal region; Thalamus; Supracerebellar infratentorial
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-021-00107-z

Abstract Background Pineal region tumors are commonly present in the pediatric age group. However, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is very rare at this region, and only few case reports have been reported till now in literature. Case presentation Here, we report a rare case of pineal region, juxta-thalamic, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) in an 11-year-old male child. The child presented with severe headache after which MRI was done. It was suggestive of pineal region low-grade tumor. The patient was operated in Parkbench position with SCIT (supracerebellar approach) in a retractor-free manner. Gross total resection was done. However, the patient developed postoperative left-sided hemiparesis. It got improved in 1 month, and the patient became ambulatory. Histopathology came out as pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. Conclusion Surgical management should include careful resection near the internal capsule to avoid postoperative hemiparesis. Also, shunt should be delayed in the cystic cavity created by resection of tumor.