Gliomatosis cerebri with favorable outcome in a child: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

To report a rare clinical case of gliomatosis cerebri with favorable outcome in a 3-year old child.

DESCRIPTION: A 3-year old child developed severe and progressive symptoms of gliomatosis cerebri. The initial tests were unspecific. After clinical improvement following neuroendoscopic surgery, there was a progressive decline in clinical status with development of obstructive hydrocephalus, paraparesis and difficulty in walking. The child was again submitted to surgery after disseminated injuries in the subarachnoid space were identified. She also received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently, 6 years later, spinal canal and brain injuries remain unaltered, with marked syringomyelia. However, the child is clinically stable, with adequate development for her age, indicating a satisfactory response to treatment.

COMMENTS: The child's clinical presentation and the combination of symptoms led to the diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri. There are few descriptions of this kind of tumor in children in the literature, and none reports a favorable outcome as in the present case.