Long-term survival of an infant with gliomatosis cerebelli

Abstract

Gliomatosis cerebri is an uncommon but well-established central nervous system neoplasm that occurs primarily in adults. Although the neoplastic process typically arises in the cerebrum, it often spreads to brainstem, cerebellum, or even the spinal cord. In this report the authors document the surgical treatment of a 13-month-old boy whose tumor arose in the cerebellum and over time extended to the thalamus where its growth halted at age 3 years and 10 months. Aside from 2 partial resections the patient underwent neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy. He is now 21 years old and functions independently.