Intractable epilepsy due to a rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor with a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial background

Automated characterisation of microglia in ageing mice using image processing and supervised machine learning algorithms

The resident macrophages of the central nervous system, microglia, are becoming increasingly implicated as active participants in neuropathology and ageing. Their diverse and changeable morphology is tightly linked with functions they perform, enabling assessment of their activity through image analysis. To better understand the contributions of microglia in health, senescence, and disease, it is necessary to measure morphology with both speed and reliability. A machine learning approach was developed to facilitate automatic classification of images of retinal microglial cells as one of five morphotypes, using a support vector machine (SVM). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this SVM was between 0.99 and 1, indicating strong performance. The densities of the different microglial morphologies were automatically assessed (using the SVM) within wholemount retinal images. Retinas used in the study were sourced from 28 healthy C57/BL6 mice split over three age points (2, 6, and 28-months). The prevalence of 'activated' microglial morphology was significantly higher at 6- and 28-months compared to 2-months (p < .05 and p < .01 respectively), and 'rod' significantly higher at 6-months than 28-months (p < 0.01). The results of the present study propose a robust cell classification SVM, and further evidence of the dynamic role microglia play in ageing.

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor of the fourth ventricle; A case report and review of the literature

Despite mostly indolent course and favorable postoperative outcome long-term follow-up studies are needed to identify the most appropriate therapeutic strategies to minimize surgical morbidity and neurologic injury in patients with RGNT.

A case of a rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor with clinicopathological features of a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 internal tandem duplication

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (RGNTs) are benign WHO grade 1 tumors that occur in the ventricular system, particularly the fourth ventricle. RGNTs and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs) are both categorized as neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors and may be difficult to distinguish. Coexistence of the two tumor types has been reported. Here, we report a pediatric case of RGNT with DNT-like features showing intraventricular dissemination. The tumor occurred in the medial temporal lobe and presented with specific pathological glioneuronal elements including floating neurons, which are typical in DNTs, but was diagnosed as RGNT because of the presence of neurocytic rosettes. Genetic analysis detected fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 internal tandem duplication (FGFR1-ITD) of the tyrosine kinase domain, which was previously reported to be specific for DNT. RGNTs with FGFR1-ITD may show atypical clinical presentation and pathological features.

Pediatric rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor of the septum pellucidum

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT) is a rare tumor entity which has been reported mainly occurring in the fourth ventricle. It has been described as a benign lesion with limited extension into surrounding structures, including the cerebellar vermis, midbrain, and cerebral aqueduct. More recently, few cases involving also other midline structures have been documented as well. Here, we report about diagnosis and treatment of RGNT in the septum pellucidum in a pediatric patient which has not been described previously. A 7-year-old boy had a 3-week history of headache. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a solid mass in the septum pellucidum accompanied by hydrocephalus. The tumor was resected via a transcortical approach. Histological examination revealed the typical findings of a RGNT. At 2-year follow-up, there was no tumor recurrence, and clinical outcome was unremarkable. RGNT has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric midline tumors also outside of the fourth ventricle. Surgical resection is the first-line therapy which may result in beneficial outcome in the long term. The role of adjuvant therapy needs further definition since due to the rarity of this tumor entity, available data is very limited.

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor: an illustrative case and a systematic review

Background

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (RGNTs) are rare, low-grade, primary CNS tumors first described in 2002 by Komori et al. RGNTs were initially characterized as a World Health Organization (WHO) grade I tumors typically localized to the fourth ventricle. Although commonly associated with an indolent course, RGNTs have the potential for aggressive behavior.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed and Web of Science was performed through November 2019 using the search term “rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor.” Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. English, full-text case reports and series with histopathological confirmation were included. Patient demographics, presentations, MRI features, tumor location, treatment, and follow-up of all 130 cases were extracted.

Results

A 19-year-old man with a history of epilepsy and autism presented with acute hydrocephalus. MRI scans from 2013 to 2016 demonstrated unchanged abnormal areas of cortex in the left temporal lobe with extension into the deep gray-white matter. On presentation to our clinic in 2019, the lesion demonstrated significant progression. The patient’s tumor was identified as RGNT, WHO grade I. One hundred thirty patients were identified across 80 studies.

Conclusion

RGNT has potential to transform from an indolent tumor to a tumor with more aggressive behavior. The results of our systematic review provide insight into the natural history and treatment outcomes of these rare tumors.

An epilepsy-associated glioneuronal tumor with mixed morphology harboring FGFR1 mutation

Glioneuronal tumor (GNT) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm composed of glial and neuronal components. Making the specific diagnosis of GNT can be challenging due to histopathological and genetical similarities among some GNTs and low-grade gliomas. We report a case of GNT with rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, and pilocytic astrocytoma-like morphology harboring FGFR1 mutation. A 16-year-old female presented with absence seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right temporal lobe mass with multinodular enhancement by gadolinium administration. The tumor was mostly composed of oligodendrocyte-like cells (OLCs) with variable perinuclear haloes. Abundant Rosenthal fibers and eosinophilic granular bodies were identified. Neither mitotic figures nor areas of necrosis were seen. Focal neurocytic rosette features, involving ring-like arrays of OLCs around eosinophilic cores, were observed. Direct sequencing showed a missense mutation in FGFR1 K656E, whereas FGFR1 N546K, PIK3CA, and BRAF V600E were intact. KIAA1549-BRAF fusion was not detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.