Multiple different examples of DIA and DIG demonstrating its typical appearance: large superficial/cortical cyst with a mass (cyst with a mural nodule).
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Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma and Ganglioglioma
Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma and Ganglioglioma (DIA and DIG)
- These are superficial, cortical/leptomeningeal multicystic tumor with a solid component (cyst with a mural nodule).
- Present in infants (< 2 y.o.), thus the presenting symptom is often a rapidly expanding head circumference.
- This age population is typical for select brain tumors, such as Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) and pilomyxoid astrocytoma.
- Pilocytic astrocytoma (the most common pediatric glioma) also commonly presents as a cyst with a mural nodule but pilocytic astrocytomas typically localize to the cerebellum, brainstem, hypothalamus, or optic chiasm, typically present later in childhood (ages 5-15), and the cystic component usually isn't as large as in this tumor.
Image References
- Head CT without contrast (upper left image)
- al, Oluwole Fadare et. Radiologic Appearance of Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma. February 10, 2008. Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma: cytologic findings and differential diagnosis on aspiration material CytoJournal 2005, 2:1doi:10.1186/1742-6413-2-1. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desmoplastic_infantile_ganglioglioma.jpg.
- MRI examples (upper right and bottom images)
- Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, Ashley Greer, Nicholas K. Foreman, Andrew Donson, Kurtis D. Davies, and B. K. English: Magnetic Resonance Images of the Six Different Tumors from Six Different Patients Which Show the Classic Neuroimaging Features of DIA/DIG in Terms of the Location and Size in the Cerebral Hemispheres. November 10, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5589269/. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desmoplastic_infantile_astrocytoma-ganglioglioma.png.