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Neuropediatrics 1998; 29(6): 328-330
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973589
Short communications

© Hippokrates Verlag GmbH Stuttgart

Complete Remission of a Diffuse Pontine Glioma

H. C. Lenard1 , V. Engelbrecht3 , G. Janssen1 , W. Wechsler2 , Ch. Tautz4
  • 1Departments of Paediatrics, University of Düsseldorf,
  • 2Departments of Neuropathology, , University of Düsseldorf,
  • 3Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Düsseldorf, and
  • 4Department of Paediatrics, Community Hospital, Herdecke, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

A patient is described in whom a large diffuse glioma of the pons extending into the midbrain was diagnosed at the age of 2 years. Biopsy showed a fibrillary astrocytoma. After shunting of a hydrocephalus, the clinical symptoms abated without conventional therapy. Repeated MRI studies showed a continuous decrease of the tumour which was no longer visible when the patient was 6.6 years old.

In reviews on spontaneous remissions of oncologic disorders we were unable to find a case of a biologically benign brain stem tumour. There is one isolated report on a similar case, though without histologic documentation.

Key words

Pediatric brain tumours - Pontine glioma