Diencephalic Syndrome: Misleading Clinical Onset of Low-Grade Glioma

Abstract

Background: Diencephalic Syndrome is an atypical early manifestation of low-grade gliomas; so, it is important to detect it in patients that experience a failure to thrive despite adequate length growth and food intake. The purpose of this article is to focus attention on this rare but potentially dangerous cause of poor weight gain or stunting in childhood. Materials and Methods: We describe four patients with Diencephalic Syndrome and low-grade gliomas who were evaluated in our institution from January 2017 to December 2021. Case Description and Results: two patients presented with suspected malabsorption, and two presented with a suspected eating disorder. In all cases, neurological symptoms appeared late, explaining the reason for the diagnostic delay, which impacts negatively on prognosis and on quality of life. Currently, patients 1 and 2 have stable disease in second-line therapy, patient 3 has stable disease post end of second-line therapy, and patient 4 has stable disease in first-line therapy. Everyone is in psychophysical rehabilitation. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary evaluation is essential in order to make an early diagnosis and improve prognosis and quality of life.

Keywords

• diencephalic syndrome
• low-grade glioma
• failure to thrive