Pigmented variant of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma - A rare long-term epilepsy associated neoplasm

Abstract

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon, long-term epilepsy associated tumor of young adults. Its pigmented variant is exceedingly rare, with only five previously reported cases on record. We report the sixth case of pigmented PXA in a 24-year-old lady presenting with long-standing seizures. The MRI revealed a solid cystic lesion located in the right medial temporal lobe. Histopathologically, the superficially located tumor showed typical features of PXA with melanin-laden astrocytic component and was negative for V600E-mutant BRAF. The histogenesis is discussed.

Keywords

• Epilepsy
• histopathology
• melanin
• pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
• V600E-mutant BRAF