Pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellopontine angle: a rare case

Abstract

Abstract Background Pilocytic astrocytomas are the most common primary brain tumors in children. Most of the lesions occur in or near the midline. They are rare in extra-axial locations. Case presentation We report a 23-year-old lady who was found to have progressive right-sided sensorineural hearing loss and features of raised intracranial pressure due to a pilocytic astrocytoma of the right cerebellopontine angle. After an extensive Medline search, we could find only three cases of primary extra-axial pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) reported till now. Conclusion Even a rare occurrence, primary pilocytic astrocytoma, and in general gliomas, should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of CPA lesions.

Keywords

• Pilocytic astrocytomas
• Brain tumors
• Cerebellopontine angle (CPA)