Introduction: Gliofibromas are rare biphasic tumours with a good prognosis that usually occur in childhood. Rare adult spinal cases have been treated with radiotherapy. This report describes the case of a gliofibroma occurring in a young adult 10 years after treatment for a childhood pilocytic astrocytoma. Case: A 14-year-old female underwent complete resection of a right lateral ventricle pilocytic astrocytoma confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At the age of 17, the tumour recurred, and a second complete resection was performed. Due to the early recurrence, she was placed on long-term MRI surveillance. At the age of 23, an enhancing left midbrain tumour was identified that was suspected to be a recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma. Following surgical resection the histopathology revealed a gliofibroma. Due to the growth of further tumour nodules she was treated with fractionated radiotherapy. There is no disease recurrence after 36 months of follow-up, and the patient remains well. Discussion: Gliofibromas are tumours which usually occur in childhood; this case report identifies a rare occurrence in an adult. The childhood intraventricular pilocytic astrocytoma was in an anatomically distinct location to the midbrain gliofibroma. Radiotherapy can control these tumours, and follow-up is required to understand the long-term outcome and prognosis.

Keywords:
Gliofibroma, Radiotherapy, Pilocytic astrocytoma, Surgery
1.
Friede RL: Gliofibroma. A peculiar neoplasia of collagen forming glia-like cells. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1978;37:300-313.
2.
Prayson RA: Disseminated spinal cord astrocytoma with features of gliofibroma: a review of the literature. Clin Neuropathol 2013;32:298-302.
3.
Kim Y, Suh YL, Sung C, Hong SC: Gliofibroma: a case report and review of the literature. J Korean Med Sci 2003;18:625-629.
4.
Vazquez M, Miller DC, Epstein F, Allen JC, Budzilovich GN: Glioneurofibroma: renaming the pediatric “gliofibroma”: a neoplasm composed of Schwann cells and astrocytes. Mod Pathol 1991;4:519-523.
5.
Sarkar R, Yong WH, Lazareff JA: A case report of intraventricular gliofibroma. Pediatr Neurosurg 2009;45:210-213.
© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel
2017
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.