Intraventricular dissemination of the pilocytic astrocytomas in an adult

Abstract

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a subset of gliomas characterized by a benign course with an excellent prognosis and rarely metastasizing or spreading along the neuraxis. We report a case of a 56-year female with intraventricular dissemination of pilocytic astrocytoma in an adult and discuss the clinical significance diagnosis and management including the peculiar pattern of dissemination of the pilocytic astrocytoma. The course of the disseminated disease may not be as good as that of patients with localized recurrence or totally resected primary disease and can vary from rapid progression to prolonged stabilization.