Angiocentric glioma: Literature review and first case in Brazil

Abstract

Background: Angiocentric glioma (AG) was recently added in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors (2007) after two case reports published in 2005 as neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS). AG predominantly affects children and young adults, and very often patients presenting with difficult to control epilepsy. Since its initial description, AG has been considered a rare entity with fewer than 100 cases reported hitherto. We report the first case of AG in Brazil, to our knowledge, in a male patient presenting refractory seizures, which neuroimaging results evidenced compatible lesion. Case description: Male patient, 23-year-old, with a history of long-standing headache and episodes of tonic-clonic seizures. His clinical evaluation and physical examination were normal. According to the MRI were evidenced tumefactive lesions next to the pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus and part of the corresponding subcentral gyrus. The patient was submitted to total resection of the lesion. Patient was kept awaken with intraoperative monitoring and using left frontotemporal approach. Three days after surgery the patient was discharged, without neurological deficits and no seizure in the postoperative period. The anatomical pathology exam was compatible with AG. Conclusions: Angiocentric Glioma is a rare neoplasm mostly present in patients with difficult to control epilepsies. Tumoral resection provides broad control of symptoms, besides reducing recurrence and the progression of the disease, leading to an extremely favorable prognosis.