Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma in association with arteriovenous malformation

Interv Neuroradiol. 2012 Jun;18(2):140-7. doi: 10.1177/159101991201800203. Epub 2012 Jun 4.

Abstract

Pilocytic astrocytomas are highly vascular, relatively common primary brain tumors in the pediatric population, but their association with a true arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is extremely rare. We describe an eight-year-old girl with a right supratentorial juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) with an angiographically documented AVM entangled in the tumor mass who presented with intracranial hemorrhage due to a ruptured anterior choroidal artery pseudoaneurysm encased in the lesion. The AVM nidus as well as the hemorrhage site was embolized with Onyx. A literature review revealed only one previous report of a true intermixture of these two lesions. We hypothesize whether the association of vascular malformations and primary brain tumors are merely coincidental or if they point to the existence of a distinct entity and/or a common etiologic factor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / complications*
  • Astrocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Astrocytoma / therapy
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Child
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / etiology*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Contrast Media