Tumors of central nervous system are common, especially in children. The most common primary tumor is astrocytoma. Study of microscopic features of astrocytoma could help to diagnose and assess histologically this type of tumor more precisely. Subjects include 122 patients with astrocytoma diagnosed at Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital from June 2003 to June 2004. Histological criteria of these 122 cases were atypical nuclear: 122 cases (100%), endothelial proliferation: 69 (56.5%), necrosis: 36 (29.5%), mitoses: 17 (13.9%), micro cystic: 17 (13.9%), calcification: 6 (4.9%), pseudorosettes: 8 (6.5%). The criteria such as atypical nuclear, endothelial proliferation, necrosis, mitoses, and cellularity are important factors in the diagnosis and histological grading of astrocytoma
Astrocytoma ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Child

There has been a marked increase in the utility of aspiration cytology for pathologic diagnosis. It may be applied to any kinds of organs and substitutes surgical biopsy. Because of the high risk of complication and difficulties in localization, aspiration cytology in the central nervous system(CNS) has been used with less frequency compared to other sites. However, with the advent of sophisticated imaging instruments, aspiration cytology of lesions in the CNS is being used increasingly. Cytologic features of the CNS neoplasms were quite similar to those of histology except one spindle cell tumor. Reviewing various CNS neoplasms, it appears that cytology may be a useful diagnostic method.
Biopsy ; Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System* ; Diagnosis

Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; therapy

Neurilemmomatosis is a clinical entity consisting of multiple cutaneous neurilemmomas, central nervous system tumors, and neurologic disorders. Since Shishiba et al first described the disorder in 1984, several cases have been reported. We report a Korean case of neurilemmomatosis showing multiple neurilemmomas of the skin and spinal cord, with associated motor and sonsory nerve disturbance. Histologic, immunohistopathologic and electron microscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis.
Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neurilemmoma ; Skin ; Spinal Cord

Central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms are the second most common childhood malignancy after leukemia and the most common solid organ neoplasm in children. Diagnostic dilemmas with small specimens from CNS neoplasms are often the result of multifactorial etiologies such as frozen or fixation artifact, biopsy size, or lack of knowledge about rare or unfamiliar entities. Since the late 1950s, ultrastructural examination has been used in the diagnosis of CNS neoplasms, though it has largely been replaced by immunohistochemical and molecular cytogenetic studies. Nowadays, pathologic diagnosis of CNS neoplasms is achieved through intraoperative cytology, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and molecular cytogenetic results. However, the utility of electron microscopy (EM) in the final diagnosis of CNS neoplasms and investigation of its pathogenetic origin remains critical. Here, we reviewed the distinguishing ultrastructural features of pediatric CNS neoplasms and emphasize the continuing value of EM in the diagnosis of CNS neoplasms.
Artifacts ; Biopsy ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms* ; Central Nervous System* ; Child ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron

BACKGROUND: Pathologic diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms is made by comparing light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular cytogenetic findings with clinicoradiologic observations. Intraoperative frozen cytology smears can improve the diagnostic accuracy for CNS neoplasms. Here, we evaluate the diagnostic value of cytology in frozen diagnoses of CNS neoplasms. METHODS: Cases were selected from patients undergoing both frozen cytology and frozen sections. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-four cases were included in this retrospective single-center review study covering a span of 10 years. Five discrepant cases (1.1%) were found after excluding 53 deferred cases (31 cases of tentative diagnosis, 22 cases of inadequate frozen sampling). A total of 346 cases of complete concordance and 50 cases of partial concordance were classified as not discordant cases in the present study. Diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen diagnosis was 87.2%, and the accuracy was 98.8% after excluding deferred cases. Discrepancies between frozen and permanent diagnoses (n = 5, 1.1%) were found in cases of nonrepresentative sampling (n = 2) and misinterpretation (n = 3). High concordance was observed more frequently in meningeal tumors (97/98, 99%), metastatic brain tumors (51/52, 98.1%), pituitary adenomas (86/89, 96.6%), schwannomas (45/47, 95.8%), high-grade astrocytic tumors (47/58, 81%), low grade astrocytic tumors (10/13, 76.9%), non-neoplastic lesions (23/36, 63.9%), in decreasing frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Using intraoperative cytology and frozen sections of CNS tumors is a highly accurate diagnostic ancillary method, providing subtyping of CNS neoplasms, especially in frequently encountered entities.
Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; Methods ; Neurilemmoma ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods

Radiation is a common treatment modality for central nervous system neoplasms. However, secondary tumor development must be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or recurring symptoms after treatment with conventional radiotherapy. A 28-year-old woman developed a cavernous hemangioma about 9 years after brain irradiation for astrocytoma. Clinical and histopathological details are presented, and previous reports of radiation-induced intracranial cavernous hemangioma are reviewed.
Adult ; Astrocytoma* ; Brain ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Humans ; Radiotherapy

Meningiomas, one of the most common neoplasms of the central nervous system, may be encountered incidentally during autopsy. Most of these tumors, however, are benign and hence, are not considered as the chief cause of death. Further, sudden unexpected death caused by meningioma is very unusual. Moreover, the diagnosis of an incidental meningioma as the cause of sudden death may sometimes be difficult. In the present report, we describe an autopsy case of a sudden, unexpected death due to a large olfactory groove meningioma accompanied by severe cerebral edema and tonsillar herniation.
Autopsy ; Brain Edema ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cause of Death ; Central Nervous System ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Encephalocele ; Meningioma*

The diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma cannot be made easily histologically, and most cases of pituitary carcinoma are diagnosed only after the clinical detection of metastasis. Distant metastasis of pituitary tumor occurs in 0.1% to 0.2% of cases and has been reported in the liver, bone and central nervous system, with only one case of metastasis to the cauda equine reported. This study describes a rare case of the drop metastasis of adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pituitary adenocarcinoma to the cauda equina, causing cauda equina syndrome.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Cauda Equina* ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Polyradiculopathy