Diagnosis and treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma with the primary lesion in the hypothalamus: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare extra-nodal lymphoma of the central nervous system. Primary central nervous system lymphoma lesions usually appear in the vicinity of the ventricle, and there are few reports of primary central nervous system lymphoma with hypothalamic-pituitary lesions.

CASE PRESENTATION

We treated a 56-year-old male with primary central nervous system lymphoma with the primary lesion in the hypothalamus, which was found by magnetic resonance imaging after sudden onset of endocrinological abnormalities. Initially, he was hospitalized to our department for hyponatremia. Endocrinological examination in conjunction with head magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic biopsy revealed hypothalamic hypopituitarism and tertiary hypoadrenocorticism caused by a rapidly growing, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the hypothalamus. Remission of the tumor was achieved by high-dose methotrexate with whole brain radiotherapy, and some of the hormone responses were normalized.

CONCLUSIONS

While primary central nervous system lymphoma is rare, it is important to note that hypopituitarism can result and that the endocrinological abnormalities can be partially restored by its remission.

Progression of pituitary tumours: impact of GH secretory status and long-term GH replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Most patients treated for hypothalamic-pituitary tumours develop GH deficiency. Long-term GH replacement treatment in adults with a previous history of hypothalamic-pituitary tumour could represent a concern about increasing the risk of tumour enlargement or recurrence.

PURPOSE

To assess the progression risk of hypothalamic-pituitary tumours according to the GH secretory status (normal GH secretion, non-treated and treated GH deficiency). and determine the predictors of neoplasm recurrence.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 309 patients with tumours of the hypothalamic-pituitary region (294 subjects underwent neurosurgery while 81 radiotherapy) who were followed for 9.9 ± 8.3 years.

RESULTS

Out of 309 patients, 200 were affected by severe GH deficiency; 90 of these underwent GH therapy. The tumour progression rate did not differ among GH-sufficient, not-treated and treated GH-deficient patients (16.5%, 16.4%. and 10.0%, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, previous radiotherapy (HR 0.12, CI 0.03-0.52, p < 0.005) and residual tumour (HR 8.20, CI 2.38-28.29, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of recurrence. After controlling for multiple covariates, the tumour recurrence risk in GH-sufficient and GH-treated patients was similar to that observed in not-treated GH-deficient patients.

CONCLUSIONS

With limitations of retrospective analysis, GH therapy is not associated with an increased progression rate of tumours of the hypotalamic-pituitary region during long follow-up, thus supporting the long-term safety of GH treatment. The only predictors of tumour recurrence appear to be the presence of residual disease and the lack of radiotherapy.

An unusual association of a sellar gangliocytoma with a prolactinoma

The simultaneous occurrence of a hypothalamic and sellar gangliocytoma with a pituitary prolactinoma is very rare. The explanation for such an association is not known. We describe the case of a woman who had a coexisting adjacent pituitary prolactinoma and gangliocytoma within the same sellar mass. The tumor cells of the gangliocytoma demonstrated expression of enkephalin, a product of proopiomelanocortin known to be a prolactin secretagogue. We postulate that in this patient there may be a link between gangliocytoma enkephalin and prolactin hypersecretion.

The Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma and its Relationship to Pilocytic Astrocytoma: Report of a Case and a Critical Review of the Entity

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a rare glioma that shares histopathological similarities with pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Yet, typical examples of both can be distinguished on clinical and histological grounds. The reported aggressive behavior of PMA provides a rationale for distinguishing this entity from typical PA. We report a 6(1/2) -year-old girl who had suffered poor weight gain, irritability and progressively worsening abnormal eye movements since approximately 2 months of age. Radiographic studies at 6 months of age (age at initial presentation) revealed a large hypothalamic lesion occupying proximal portions of the optic nerves, chiasm and right posterior optic tract. The first biopsy obtained after two chemotherapy regimens was consistent with a diagnosis of PMA. The patient suffered multiple recurrences, and underwent three subsequent surgical procedures. The last two surgical specimens revealed a tumor with histopathological features of PA. She is alive with residual disease 6 years after initial presentation. While earlier studies focused on the similarities between PA and PMA, considering the latter as the "infantile" form of the former, subsequent work outlined their histological and clinical differences. Some even suggested a different cell type, such as the tanycytic cell as the origin for PMA. This report provides evidence in favor of the earlier argument that there is a close relationship between PA and PMA, and presents a rare "maturation" phenomenon, at least from a morphological perspective. More systematic review of such cases will provide a better answer for the origin of PMA, and its relation to PA.

Diencephalic syndrome due to hypothalamic tumor: a model of the relationship between weight and puberty onset

CONTEXT

Changes in body weight, statural growth rate, and puberty may be the presenting symptoms of hypothalamic-pituitary tumors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the tumor and its treatment and the weight, growth rate, and onset of puberty, using the diencephalic syndrome of emaciation as model.

PATIENTS

Eleven patients seen before 1 yr of age, except one aged 9 yr, for diencephalic syndrome of emaciation due to hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma, were treated by surgical resection (n = 9), cranial irradiation (n = 7), and/or chemotherapy (n = 10).

RESULTS

At diagnosis, growth rate was normal, despite the emaciation, and there was no hypothalamic-pituitary deficiency, except in the oldest patient. After tumor treatment, all had GH and thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiencies, but only three, who underwent major surgical resection, also had ACTH deficiency and diabetes insipidus. Eight became obese, and all but the oldest had transient precocious puberty. Plasma leptin concentrations were very low at diagnosis, increased after tumor treatment, and decreased transiently in one boy when the testosterone increased. The plasma soluble leptin receptor concentrations changed in the opposite direction, leading to an increase in the free leptin index, including in the three patients whose tumor was reduced without surgery. The body mass index was correlated positively with plasma leptin (rho = 0.73, P = 0.0004) and free leptin index (rho = 0.63, P < 0.004) and negatively with ghrelin (rho = -0.49, P < 0.03) concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The obesity that occurs after treatment of hypothalamic tumors is not due to dysregulation of leptin secretion because it and plasma soluble leptin receptor remain regulated by factors like testosterone. This study also shows the influence of weight, possibly via leptin secretion, on the transient hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal activation that occurs during the first year of life.

Isolated vertical diplopia as the initial manifestation of presumed pretectal and anterior hypothalamic germinomas

A 21-year-old man with a 5-month history of diplopia caused by isolated vertical ocular misalignment had normal laboratory studies, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eight months after the onset of diplopia, he reported dry mouth, polydipsia, polyuria, and absent sweating. Examination now disclosed light-near dissociation of the pupillary responses, convergence-retraction nystagmus, and upgaze palsy. MRI revealed enhancing suprasellar and pretectal masses presumed to be germinomas. Two years after brain irradiation and systemic chemotherapy, no lesions are apparent on MRI and hypothalamic dysfunction has partially resolved. In a young patient with isolated vertical diplopia and normal brain imaging, one should consider an early pretectal syndrome and inquire after manifestations of hypothalamic dysfunction.

Late complications in childhood central nervous system tumour survivors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As the treatment of childhood brain tumours has improved, long-term survival has become more common. Cognitive, physical and psychological complications of the tumour and its treatment have been recognized more frequently in long-term survivors. This review highlights new studies on the cognitive and endocrine complications in survivors. Less-common late effects of treatment are also discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cognitive abnormalities and endocrine dysfunction are the most common complications in long-term survivors. Radiotherapy is the main cause of cognitive dysfunction, but intrathecal methotrexate and surgery are contributory factors. New studies have provided information on the frequency of endocrine complications and risk factors for the development of endocrine disorders. Endocrine complications are uncommon when the tumour has been treated with surgery alone. The risk of developing endocrine dysfunction is increased by radiotherapy, and some studies suggest that chemotherapy has an additional deleterious effect. Primary hypothyroidism may be caused by scattered irradiation from spinal and cranial radiotherapy. Direct involvement of the hypothalamus by the tumour, and hypothalamic damage secondary to surgery or radiotherapy, may cause obesity. Hypothalamic tumours also may be associated with hypersomnolence and other features consistent with narcolepsy. The pathogenesis of hypersomnolence in these patients has not been resolved. Long-term childhood brain-tumour survivors are 40 times more likely to develop a stroke than sibling controls. Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system can develop many years after curative treatment of a cerebellar tumour, but effective treatment for this disorder is not yet available.

SUMMARY

An attempt to understand the factors that contribute to the long-term morbidity of childhood brain tumours can lead to changes in treatment that improve the quality of life in survivors. Prevention, early recognition and treatment of these complications are attainable goals.

Clinico-pathological features of pilomyxoid astrocytoma of the optic pathway

Five cases of pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PmA) characterized by a monophasic pattern with a myxoid background were selected for a clinicopathological study from 23 cases previously diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). All PmA patients were either infants or young children (mean age 2.1 years), and all tumors were located in the optic chiasm/hypothalamus region. All cases received chemotherapy, which reduced tumor size, and the location of the tumor became confined to the optic chiasm. In two cases, tumor recurrence occurred 3 and 7 years after chemotherapy. Histology of the recurrent tumors showed the biphasic pattern of classical PA. Hence, we conclude that PmA might be an infantile form of PA and speculate that a subset of PmA in the optic pathway/hypothalamus originates from the optic chiasm, possibly derived from radial glia existing in the embryonic optic chiasm.

[Hypopituitarism]

Hypopituitarism is usually caused by tumours of the hypothalamus-pituitary region, but may also arise as the consequence of pituitary inflammation, infiltration or hypoperfusion. Tumour mass reduction by surgical intervention or following drug treatment may improve pituitary function. However, neurosurgical tumour resection and radiation therapy may lead to a permanent manifestation of hypopituitarism. Diagnosis is established by endocrine testing, revealing the characteristic low serum concentrations of both peripheral hormone and associated regulatory hormone of pituitary origin. Hypopituitarism may involve from one to all endocrine axes regulated by the pituitary (in order of frequency: growth hormone deficiency>secondary hypogonadism>secondary hypothyroidism>secondary adrenal failure). The treatment of permanent hypopituitarism consists of replacement of the peripheral hormones (hydrocortisone, DHEA, thyroxine, testosterone or oestradiol, growth hormone). Quality of life is impaired in a considerable number of patients with hypopituitarism and mortality is increased, mostly due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular causes, but also as a consequence of recurrent respiratory infections. Long-term care and monitoring of patients with hypopituitarism requires the experienced endocrinologist.

Complete Recovery of Visual Functions After Multimodality Treatment for Intrinsic Chiasmatic-Hypothalamic Astrocytoma-Case Report-

A 21-year-old female was admitted with complaints of severe impairment of vision. The visual acuity was 0.02 in both eyes along with residual visual fields and central scotomas. Neuroimaging disclosed a chiasmatic-hypothalamic glioma. Surgery was performed with partial removal of the intrachiasmatic part of the intrinsic tumor. The histological diagnosis was fibrillary astrocytoma. Progressive recovery of vision began in the first week after surgery. Adjuvant treatment included one course of fractionated radiation therapy and six courses of chemotherapy. Complete recovery of visual acuity occurred after 10 months, and the visual fields were restored after an additional 6 months. Her vision has been stable during 2 years of follow up. The prognosis for recovery of vision after treatment of optic pathway gliomas mainly depends on the severity of visual loss at admission and is negatively influenced by intrinsic tumor growth, symmetrical extension, and involvement of the chiasm. Despite the presence of all these factors in the present case, multimodality management resulted in the complete recovery of visual functions. Surgery may be indicated in cases of intrinsic chiasmatic gliomas complicated by severe visual loss.

Pilocytic and Pilomyxoid Hypothalamic/Chiasmatic Astrocytomas

OBJECTIVE

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a common type of pediatric brain tumor that can arise within the hypothalamic/chiasmatic region and typically has an excellent outcome. We identified a group of tumors, previously classified as PAs, with unique histological features and aggressive behavior. This article describes the clinicopathological features of these unusual neoplasms, which are currently known as pilomyxoid astrocytomas (PMAs), to better differentiate them from typical PAs.

METHODS

Medical information and surgical specimens were obtained for 42 PA cases and 21 PMA cases. Patient demographic features, treatment modalities, progression-free survival (PFS) times, overall survival (OS) times, and outcomes were compared between the groups with nonparametric tests.

RESULTS

The PMA group included 12 male and 9 female patients. The PA group included 27 male and 15 female patients. The mean ages at diagnosis for the PMA and PA groups were 18 months (range, 2–84 mo) and 58 months (range, 4–189 mo), respectively (P &lt; 0.01). The mean PFS times for the PMA and PA groups were 26 and 147 months, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). The mean OS times for the PMA and PA groups were 63 and 213 months, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Sixteen patients with PMAs (76%) experienced local recurrence, and three of those patients demonstrated evidence of cerebrospinal fluid dissemination. Twenty-one patients with PAs (50%) experienced local recurrence, none with evidence of cerebrospinal fluid dissemination. Within the follow-up period, seven patients with PMAs (33%) and seven patients with PAs (17%) died as a result of their disease. In an age-matched set, the mean PFS times for the PMA and PA groups were 25 and 163 months, respectively (P &lt; 0.01), and the mean OS times for the PMA and PA groups were 60 and 233 months, respectively (P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Hypothalamic/chiasmatic PMAs occurred in a significantly younger population and were associated with substantially shorter PFS and OS times than were typical PAs. Increased recognition of these lesions could affect the prognosis and treatment of pediatric astrocytomas.

Long-term outcome in children with gliomas of the anterior visual pathway

We performed a retrospective assessment of the long-term visual, neurologic, and systemic outcomes of 47 patients with anterior visual pathway gliomas seen at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. All of the patients had follow-up of at least 10 years or died during the follow-up period. Two patients died before 10 years of follow-up were achieved. The remaining 45 patients (including three patients who subsequently died) had follow-up of 10-28 years (mean, 15.3 years; median, 15 years). Sixteen of the patients in this study, most of whom had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), received no treatment. None of these patients died or developed neurologic morbidity as a result of their tumor. Thirty-one of the patients, most of whom did not have evidence of NF1, received treatment. Many of these patients subsequently developed neurologic, endocrine, or visual morbidity. However, although patients with anterior visual pathway gliomas who were not treated fared better visually, neurologically, and systemically than patients who were treated, patients who required treatment for progression generally had a good overall prognosis, particularly patients with tumors that did not involve the hypothalamus. Most of these patients survived and maintained useful vision in at least one eye. We believe that patients with anterior visual pathway gliomas, particularly those with NF1, should not be treated unless there is clear clinical or neuroimaging evidence of progression.

Optic pathway tumors in children

Tumors of the optic pathways are sub-divided in this review into those that arise in one or both optic nerves anterior to the chiasm (optic nerve tumors); those that arise within the chiasm and do not extend significantly into the hypothalamus (optic chiasmatic tumors) and the large exophytic tumors that involve both the optic chiasm and the hypothalamus to a lesser or greater degree (optic chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors). The management of optic chiasmatic gliomas is controversial, partly related to failure to separate out chiasmatic tumors from the chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors. The optic nerve tumors are reviewed briefly, since they rarely extend intracranially. Chiasmatic tumors tend to be associated with NF1 and to behave almost like hamartomas. Close observation is usually the most appropriate management. On the other hand, chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors grow like typical neoplasms. The tumors are almost uniformly low grade astrocytomas, but growth rates may berapid, especially in infants. Modern management has trended away from radical surgical resection, which has significant morbidity, to chemotherapy as the first line of treatment. In this review, the clinical presentation and management of different types of optic pathway tumors are discussed.

Management of optic chiasmatic/hypothalamic astrocytomas in children

OBJECTIVE

The management of optic chiasmatic gliomas is controversial, partly related to failure to separate out those tumors involving the optic chiasm only (chiasmatic tumors) from those also involving the hypothalamus (chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors). The purpose of this study was: (i) to analyze the outcomes of chiasmatic and chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors separately; and (ii) to determine the appropriateness of recommending radical surgical resection for the chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all newly diagnosed tumors involving the optic chiasm from 1982-1996 at British Columbia's Children's Hospital was performed.

RESULTS

There were 32 patients less than 16 years of age, 14 with chiasmatic and 18 with chiasmatic/hypothalamic astrocytomas, with an average duration of follow-up of 5.8 years and 6.3 years, respectively. Ten of the patients with chiasmatic tumors and none with chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors had neurofibromatosis I. Thirteen of the 14 chiasmatic tumors were managed with observation only, and none had progression requiring active intervention. For the chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors, eight patients had subtotal resections (>95% resection), six had partial resections (50-95%), three had limited resections (<50%), and one had no surgery. There were fewer complications associated with the limited resections, especially with respect to hypothalamic dysfunction. There was no correlation between the extent of resection (subtotal, partial, or limited) and the time to tumor progression (average 18 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, chiasmatic and chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors are different entities, which should be separated out for the purposes of any study. For the chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors, there was more morbidity and no prolongation of time to progression when radical resections were compared to more limited resections. Therefore, if surgery is performed, it may be appropriate to do a surgical procedure that strives only to provide a tissue diagnosis and to decompress the optic apparatus and/or ventricular system.

[Assessment of endocrine disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis by nuclear medicine techniques]

The following article reviews nuclear medicine techniques which can be used for assessment of endocrine disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. For planar and SPECT imaging somatostatin-receptor- and dopamine-D2-receptor-scintigraphy are the most widely distributed techniques. These nuclear medicine techniques may be indicated in selected cases to answer differential diagnostic problems. They can be helpful to search for presence and localization of receptor positive tissue. Furthermore they can detect metastasis in the rare cases of a pituitary carcinoma. Scintigraphy with Gallium-67 is suitable for further diagnostic evaluation in suspected hypophysitis. Other SPECT radiopharmaca do not have relevant clinical significance. F-18-FDG as PET radiopharmacon is not ideal because obvious pituitary adenomas could not be visualized. Other PET radiopharmaca including C-11-methionine, C-11-tyrosine, F-18-fluoroethylspiperone, C-11-methylspiperone, and C-11-raclopride are available in specialized centers only. Overall indications for nuclear medicine in studies for the assessment of endocrine disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis are rare. Original studies often report only about a small number of patients. According to the authors' opinion the relevance of nuclear medicine in studies of clinically important endocrinologic fields, e.g. localization of small ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas, tumor localization in ectopic ACTH syndrome, localization of recurrent pituitary tissue, assessment of small incidentalomas, can not be definitely given yet.

Hypothalamic obesity in humans: what do we know and what can be done?

Obesity is a common sequel to tumours of the hypothalamic region and their treatment with surgery and radiotherapy. The prevalence of hypothalamic obesity has been underestimated because it may take some years to develop, and the problem has been under-recognized by physicians. Weight gain results from damage to the ventromedial hypothalamus which leads, variously, to hyperphagia, a low metabolic rate, autonomic imbalance, growth hormone (GH) deficiency and various other problems that contribute to weight gain. However, with the exception of GH replacement, few clinical trials have evaluated significant numbers of patients and so the roles of various behavioural, dietary, pharmacological and obesity surgery approaches are controversial. Sufficient knowledge exists to identify those at high risk of hypothalamic obesity so that weight gain prevention approaches can be offered. In those who are already obese, we propose that the principal causal mechanisms in individual patients should be considered as a basis for guiding clinical management.

Management of hyponatraemia in patients with acute cerebral insults

Hyponatraemia is a common finding in patients with acute cerebral insults. The main differential diagnosis is between syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion and cerebral salt wasting. Our aim is to review the topic of hyponatraemia in patients with acute cerebral insults and suggest a clinical approach to diagnosis and management.

Neuroendocrinology of aging: the potential of gene therapy as an interventive strategy

OBJECTIVE

This paper reviews the current status of gene therapy in the neuroendocrine system and discusses the interventive potential of this methodology for neuroendocrine pathologies associated with aging.

BACKGROUND AND RESULTS

A brief description is first presented of the viral-vector-based gene delivery systems being currently used in the neuroendocrine system, namely the adenoviral and herpetic (HSV1) vector systems. Next, an account of the neuroendocrine pathologies for which gene therapy approaches in animal models are being implemented is provided. This includes the treatment of experimental pituitary tumors by adenoviral-vector-mediated transfer of the suicide gene for the HSV-1 thymidine kinase. At the hypothalamic level, an adenovirus harboring the cDNA for arginine vasopressin has been used in Brattleboro rats to correct their diabetes insipidus. Next, the interventive potential of gene therapy for correcting age-associated neurodegenerative processes at neuroendocrine level is outlined. Finally, the role that emerging technologies may play in the development of future genetic therapies for aging is considered.

CONCLUSION

Although effective implementation of gene therapy strategies still faces significant technical obstacles, these are likely to be progressively overcome as gene delivery systems are refined.

[Clinical thinking and decision making in practice. A 7-year old boy with rapid growth and pubic hair]

A 7-year-old boy was tall, with a developing penis and initial growth of pubic hair. Due to the accelerated growth there was no premature adrenarche and due to the increased testicular volume there must have been a central cause for the production of androgens. Further specific investigations revealed an astrocytoma of the hypothalamus. After radiotherapy, the tumour exhibited no growth. The pubertal development was inhibited and the growth later stimulated by means of medication. In the case of pubertas praecox the growth chart and pubertal stages including testicular volume can help to differentiate between central and peripheral precocious puberty, narrow the diagnostic evaluation and reduce the time of the initial therapy.

Diencephalic syndrome: clinical features and imaging findings

PURPOSE

To emphasize the importance of imaging in children with diencephalic syndrome due to hypothalamic/chiasmatic astrocytomas.

METHODS

Findings in nine patients (mean age, 26 months) with diencephalic syndrome and hypothalamic/chiasmatic astrocytomas were analyzed retrospectively, including reviewing clinical records, imaging examinations, and follow-up studies.

RESULTS

Symptoms and signs included failure to thrive (n = 9), nystagmus (n = 3), visual field defects (n = 1), optic pallor (n = 1), emesis (n = 2), and headache (n = 1). All patients had hypothalamic/chiasmatic masses. Five patients underwent biopsy, and, in all cases, specimens showed low-grade astrocytoma. Imaging studies were available in eight patients. All tumors were large (median maximum diameter, 3.5 cm), involved the chiasm and hypothalamus, and showed homogeneous enhancement. Three patients had hydrocephalus and two had metastases. At follow-up, five patients had recurrent disease and two had died.

CONCLUSION

Diencephalic syndrome is a rare cause of failure to thrive in childhood, and diagnosis of a hypothalamic/ chiasmatic astrocytoma might therefore be delayed. The astrocytomas associated with this syndrome are larger, occur at a younger age, and are often more aggressive than other astrocytomas arising in this region.

Special issues in the management of gliomas in children with neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common multisystem disorder that is frequently associated with neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions within the central nervous system. Improvements in neuroimaging have led to increased detection of both types of lesions. Focal areas of increased T2 signal represent the most common abnormalities detected. The vast majority of such lesions are non-neoplastic and fluctuate in number and size during childhood. Optic pathway tumors are second in frequency and generally manifest an indolent natural history, although some lesions will increase in size over time and lead to progressive visual impairment. A smaller percentage of patients will develop gliomas within the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres of brain-stem. This article will review areas of controversy in the evaluation and follow-up of patients with NF1 and will present our approach to these issues. We will also discuss therapeutic considerations in these patients that take into account the unique features of the underlying disorder.

An integrated approach to the treatment of chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas

The treatment of visual pathway gliomas is controversial. The many retrospective studies reporting outcome data for patients with chiasmatic/hypothalamic gliomas are difficult to interpret for several reasons. First the natural history of these tumors is erratic with some reports suggesting that most visual pathway gliomas are hamartomas and follow an indolent course, and others reporting 10-year survival rates of close to 60%. Second, earlier studies did not clearly indicate which patients had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and recent evidence suggests that the natural history of optic gliomas is more favorable in patients with NF1. Third the methods and accuracy of diagnosis have changed dramatically and patients diagnosed before and after the advent of CT/MR imaging have often been included in the same series. While surgical resection is usually not a viable option for definitive treatment of these tumors, recent studies have shown favorable results after subtotal resection in selected patients. The efficacy of radiotherapy has not been unequivocally demonstrated and treatment-related morbidity has become a major concern, in particular, adverse effects on cognition and growth. Chemotherapy has been advanced as an viable alternative to avoid or delay the adverse affects of RT, but the long-term outcome benefits and adverse effects of treatment are just being defined. Despite the limitations of currently available information, sufficient data are now available to rational management quotelines for the majority of children with chiasmatic/hypothalamic gliomas.

[Treatment of hypothalamic-pituitary tumors--experiences at Hiroshima University School of Medicine]

Hypothalamic-pituitary tumors are unique tumors which are present with various disorders of the cerebrum, cranial nerve, and endocrine system, and which critically ruin the patients' quality of life. However, during the past two decades, hypothalamic-pituitary tumor treatment has developed dramatically. The curative method of the pituitary adenoma had not yet been introduced in the mid-1970s, but was accomplished several years after and spread rapidly through out the world. The main contributors which led to this development were the introduction of micro-neurosurgery (including transsphenoidal surgery), the development of new imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the introduction of newer, more effective medicine. Other kinds of hypothalamic-pituitary tumor are also being cured by function-oriented surgery, drugs, and radiation therapy, which give the long-term useful life to patients. Regrettably, there are some malignant tumors which still resist to any multidisciplinary remedy. Efforts to prolong the useful lives of patients with malignant hypothalamic-pituitary tumors and also to improve the quality of life of patients with benign tumors should be continued. The most important point in managing hypothalamic pituitary tumors is to focus on "patient-oriented treatment" tailoring treatment to individual symptoms and needs.

Low-grade astrocytoma with neuraxis dissemination at diagnosis

Little is known about low-grade astrocytoma with neuraxis dissemination at diagnosis. A review of medical records identified this phenomenon in eight of 150 pediatric patients evaluated between 1985 and 1994 for histologically confirmed low-grade astrocytoma. These patients (five male and three female) ranged in age from 5 months to 20 years (median 8 years). Symptoms of neuraxis disease were minimal or absent. Primary tumor sites were the hypothalamus in four cases, brainstem/spinal cord in three, and temporal lobe in one. Patterns of dissemination (evaluated by computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging techniques) appeared to be related to the primary site: hypothalamic tumors metastasized along the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid pathways, and tumors in other locations disseminated along subarachnoid pathways. Following initial treatment with chemotherapy (in three), partial resection (in one), radiation therapy (in three), and chemotherapy plus irradiation (in one), four patients required salvage therapy for progressive or recurrent disease. Seven of the eight patients are alive with stable or progressive disease 6 to 105 months postdiagnosis (median 15 months). Low-grade astrocytoma with initial neuraxis dissemination is responsive to chemotherapy and radiation, a proportion showing periods of stable disease. The optimum therapy or combination of therapies remains unclear.

Optic pathway and hypothalamic/chiasmatic gliomas in children younger than age 5 years with a 6-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Gliomas of the hypothalamus and optic pathways (H/OPG) comprise 5% of pediatric intracranial tumors, present most frequently in patients younger than age 5 years, and may have a more aggressive course in younger children. This study examined clinical characteristics and consequences of treatment of young children diagnosed with H/OPG:

METHODS

The authors reviewed the course, treatment, and outcomes of 46 children diagnosed with H/OPG younger than age 5 years; the median follow-up was 72 months. The median age at diagnosis was 27 months.

RESULTS

Fifteen (33%) of 46 patients had neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1). Forty children (87%) had tumor progression in the follow-up period, and tumor growth was less common in children with NF-1. Initial therapy was limited to surgical resection in three and radiation in five children. To postpone radiation until after the age of 5 years, initial therapy was limited to chemotherapy in 32 patients. Radiation was not required in 9 of these patients and was postponed for 40 months (mean) in 17. Of the 46 children, 5 died of tumor progression, 4 became blind, and 20 of 34 evaluable patients had endocrine abnormalities. Endocrinopathy did not correlate with therapy. Ten of 17 children evaluated by questionnaire required special education. There was a trend for educational problems to occur in children who were irradiated before the age of 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Gliomas of the hypothalamus and optic pathways and their treatment cause long term morbidity in young children. Chemotherapy postpones radiation effectively, and this delay may reduce neurologic morbidity; however, 60% of children eventually relapse. By contrast, patients with NF-1 have indolent disease.

Optic pathway glioma infiltrating into somatostatinergic pathways in a young boy with gigantism. Case report

The authors report gigantism in a 16-month-old boy with an extensive optic pathway glioma infiltrating into somatostatinergic pathways, as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging and immunocytochemical studies. Stereotactic biopsies of areas showing hyperintense signal abnormalities on T2-weighted images in and adjacent to the involved visual pathways provided rarely obtained histological correlation of such areas. The patient received chemotherapy, which resulted in reduction of size and signal intensity of the tumor and stabilization of vision and growth velocity.

Treatment options and prognosis for multicentric juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma

Little is known about the risk of developing multicentric disease in patients with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), and even less about its prognosis. Only five cases have been reported. Between 1986 and 1992, the authors treated 90 patients with either primary or recurrent JPA, 11 of whom developed multicentric spread. Ten patients had primary tumors in the hypothalamic region, eight were under 4 years of age at initial diagnosis, all had initially undergone a subtotal resection or biopsy, and 10 received postoperative multiagent chemotherapy or irradiation for residual disease. Multicentric spread was discovered immediately to 108 months after initial diagnosis; nine patients were asymptomatic at the time. Most patients received chemotherapy for the multicentric disease, which was found throughout the craniospinal axis. During 21 to 148 months of follow-up monitoring, seven patients had stabilization or regression of multicentric disease and four died. Patients with hypothalamic region tumors were 23 times more likely to develop multicentric spread than were those with primary tumors located elsewhere (p < 0.001). Based on this review, it is concluded that multicentric spread of JPA occurs more frequently than was previously recognized. In patients with subtotally resected JPA and several years of follow-up review via magnetic resonance imaging, the incidence of recurrence in a site different from the original was 12%. Patients with subtotally resected JPA in the hypothalamic region should be considered to be at high risk for developing multicentric spread. Chemotherapy appears useful in stabilizing multicentric disease. Earlier detection and intervention may result in longer disease-free survival in patients with multicentric spread of JPA.

Optico-hypothalamic glioma: an analysis of 16 cases

We reviewed our experience of 16 patients with histologically proven optico-hypothalamic gliomas. They ranged in age from 0.3 to 15 years at the time of diagnosis. Fifteen tumors were located in the optic chiasm, optic nerve, optic tract and/or hypothalamus, while one tumor was confined to one optic nerve. All tumors were classified as low-grade astrocytomas, which were mainly composed of pilocytic astrocytes. No patient had associated neurofibromatosis. The initial treatment for tumors included surgery in 12, radiotherapy in 7, and chemotherapy in 4 patients. After treatment, visual function improved in 3 out of 14, and endocrine function improved in 1 out of 4 evaluable patients. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 84.0%, and that at 10 years 71.1%. Our experience and the literature indicate that: (1) patients with disease limited to the optic nerve are adequately managed by resection alone; (2) chiasmal-hypothalamic gliomas behave variably, and progressive disease may occur late in the course of the illness; (3) gliomas that arise in patients under 2 years of age and involve the optic chiasm may act aggressively despite their histological benignity; (4) the beneficial effects of radiotherapy occur in about half of the patients; (5) although chemotherapy may be an effective adjuvant treatment modality, it is not an alternative to radiation therapy at present. Both surgery and irradiation therefore offer the best treatment now available for patients with progressive disease.

The therapy for hypothalamic-pituitary tumors

Pituitary-hypothalamic tumors may profoundly affect endocrine functions. Although these are generally rare tumors of the central nervous system, they prominently figure into the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents with disorders of growth or puberty.

Endocrine functions in children with suprasellar germinoma

Clinical manifestations and endocrine functions were evaluated in 17 children with suprasellar germinoma. Polyuria and growth retardation were the most common initial symptoms. Physical and neurological examinations revealed diabetes insipidus in 17, growth retardation in five, and visual disturbance in three of the patients. Assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary function before treatment revealed pituitary deficits in all patients involving growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. These pituitary dysfunctions persisted after tumor remission due to radiation therapy. These results indicate that children with suprasellar germinoma need long-term hormone replacement therapy to prevent growth retardation, thyroid dysfunction, and delayed secondary sexual development.

Neurologic manifestations of hypothalamic disease

The hypothalamus, in addition to regulating the anterior and posterior pituitary, controls water balance through thirst, regulates food ingestion and body temperature, influences consciousness, sleep, emotion and other behaviors. Much has been learned of these effects in human disease through the clinical manifestations that occur with hypothalamic lesions. This study reviews the clinical pathologic correlations that have been made in recent years showing that regions of the hypothalamus exert functions in humans that are similar to those identified in experimental animals. Clinical pathologic correlations have not always provided precise analysis of hypothalamic function. The hypothalamus is small and often lesions that come to clinical attention achieve considerable size before their recognition, making local anatomic dissections of the effects of the lesions difficult. Nevertheless, the use of modern non-invasive techniques including CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided new information not previously available. This paper reviews several cases of hypothalamic disorder recognized recently. (1) A 33-year-old black man with hypothalamic sarcoidosis. Manifestations of hypothalamic dysfunction included panhypopituitarism, aggressive hyperphagia, polydipsia (partially due to hyperglycemia secondary to diabetes mellitus), drowsiness, depression, and irritability. (2) A 37-year-old woman with a large intrahypothalamic tumor (biopsy showed pituitary adenoma), with drowsiness, poikilothermia, lack of satiety, confusion, and memory loss. She becomes depressed when she is transiently more alert (as after hypertonic contrast-dye infusion). (3) A 60-year-old man with hypothalamic compression by a pituitary tumor, associated with syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH), severe anorexia, memory loss, but preserved thirst. After surgical decompression of the tumor his appetite acutely recovered, but he developed severe hypo(poikilo)thermia. (4) A 45-year-old woman with a suprasellar craniopharyngioma presented with severe drowsiness, hyperphagia, depression, and memory loss post-operatively, which responded to antidepressants (except for the memory loss). She had extremely labile blood pressures and serum Na for about 1 week post-operatively.