Cystic neurohypophysial germinoma associated with moyamoya disease

Laser interstitial thermal therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of brain tumors in NF1 patients after cerebral revascularization for moyamoya angiopathy: a report on two cases

Background

The co-occurrence of moyamoya vasculopathy and extra-optic pathway tumors is rare in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), with only four cases described in the literature. Brain surgery in these patients may be challenging because of the risk of brain infarction after skin and dural incision. Given its percutaneous and minimally invasive nature, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an ideal option for the treatment of brain tumors in these patients. Here, we report on two patients with NF1 and moyamoya syndrome (MMS) treated for a brain glioma with LITT, after cerebral revascularization.

Cases

The first patient, with familial NF1, underwent bilateral indirect revascularization with multiple burr holes (MBH) for symptomatic MMS. Two years later, she was diagnosed with a left temporal tumor, with evidence of radiologic progression over 10 months. The second patient, also with familial NF1, developed unilateral MMS when he was 6 years old and was treated with MBH. At the age of 15 years, MRI showed a right cingular lesion, growing on serial MRIs. Both patients underwent LITT with no perioperative complications; they are progression free at 10 and 12 months, respectively, and the tumors have decreased in volume.

Discussion

While the association of extra-optic neoplasm and moyamoya angiopathy is seldom reported in NF1, tumor treatment is challenging in terms of both avoiding stroke and achieving oncological control. Here, we show in 2 cases, that LITT could be a safe and effective option in these rare conditions.

Glioblastoma with concomitant moyamoya vasculopathy in neurofibromatosis type 1: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

In a case of concurrent glioblastoma and moyamoya vasculopathy, it is arduous to safely perform surgery because the brain is highly vulnerable and collaterals are sometimes well developed. In addition, radiotherapy carries a risk of aggravating moyamoya vasculopathy, and chemotherapeutic agents also have a risk of interfering with collateral development.

OBSERVATIONS

A 48-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 was admitted because of left hemiparesis and hemispatial neglect. Brain imaging studies revealed a large mass with peripheral enhancement in the right frontal lobe and occlusion of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries with an abnormal vascular network at the base of the brain. Total tumor resection was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant glioblastoma. Radiotherapy with a total dose of 60 Gy was delivered with concurrent temozolomide, and thereafter six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide were given. Progression of moyamoya vasculopathy without symptoms was observed after the completion of each of radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide.

LESSONS

The authors present the first adult case of glioblastoma with moyamoya vasculopathy. Careful consideration and attention should be given throughout treatment to avoiding moyamoya vasculopathy-related ischemic and hemorrhagic events. Although the patient did not exhibit neurological deterioration, progression of moyamoya vasculopathy occurred early after radiotherapy and continued thereafter.

Management of glioblastoma in an NF1 patient with moyamoya syndrome: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Glioma and moyamoya syndrome are both potential complications of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Here, we report the first case of NF1 concomitantly presenting with glioblastoma 10 years after surgical treatment of moyamoya syndrome.

CASE REPORT

A 14-year-old boy with NF1 was incidentally diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a thalamic tumor during a follow-up for moyamoya syndrome, which had been treated with surgery 10 years earlier. After observation for 36 months, he developed left hemiparesis, and MRI revealed an increase in tumor size and obstructive hydrocephalus due to the tumor. Needle biopsy was performed through small craniotomy, and the histological diagnosis was glioblastoma. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy with 23 cycles of temozolomide, partial response of the tumor was observed. However, 24 months after the start of the initial therapy, the tumor showed regrowth, and the patient died 30 months after the initial therapy. No cerebrovascular events associated with moyamoya syndrome and chemoradiotherapy were observed during the clinical course of glioblastoma.

DISCUSSION

Glioblastoma is a fatal disease in children, and our patient successfully received chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide despite the diagnoses of NF1 and moyamoya syndrome. Although radiotherapy or chemotherapy potentially causes cerebrovascular complications, chemoradiotherapy might be feasible for glioblastoma treatment in patients with moyamoya syndrome and NF1. The following issues are discussed in the management of the present case: the indication of biopsy in NF1 cases, the method of surgery, and the treatment protocol for tumors concomitant with moyamoya disease or syndrome.

Navigation-guided endoscopic biopsy for pathological diagnosis for intraparenchymal pure germinoma near the ventricular trigone

BACKGROUND

The authors report a case of intraparenchymal germinoma pathologically diagnosed using navigation-guided endoscopic biopsy.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 27-year-old man had mild left hemiparesis, transcortical motor aphasia, and amnesia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed an intraparenchymal mass lesion near the left ventricular trigone. Navigation-guided endoscopic biopsy was performed, and histopathology revealed large neoplastic cells immunohistochemically positive for germinoma-specific antigens, which were diagnosed as pure germinoma. Chemotherapy with whole-brain radiotherapy was performed, and the neurological symptoms did not change during the treatment. Follow-up MR imaging 1 year after the surgery showed no evidence of recurrence or dissemination.

CONCLUSIONS

Navigation-guided endoscopic biopsy can be a useful technique in such intraparenchymal germinoma cases.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and moyamoya disease in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 - case report -

A 32-year-old man with familial neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with a rare case of coexisting pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) and moyamoya disease manifesting as progressive right hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium showed an enhanced mass lesion in the left basal ganglia extending to the left parietal lobe. Preoperative angiography showed severe stenosis of the bilateral internal carotid arteries, and moyamoya vessels. The patient underwent open biopsy. Histological examination showed the characteristic findings of PXA. After radiation therapy and chemotherapy, MR imaging showed decreased size and enhancement of the tumor, but his clinical condition worsened with generalized convulsions and consciousness disturbance. He died 1 year and 6 months after the first presentation. Autopsy findings demonstrated necrosis in the main mass and tumor cell dissemination without anaplastic change. The rare combination of PXA and moyamoya disease in the basal ganglia limited treatment options. Injured moyamoya vessels and ischemic condition might have caused tumor progression and dissemination. Radiation therapy, in combination with moyamoya disease, induced decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the left frontal lobe. Tumor dissemination, CBF decrease, and hydrocephalus led to the clinical deterioration of this patient.