Tumors of the midbrain often cause obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct, leading to hydrocephalus. Endoscopic ventriculostomy and biopsy are considered suitable operations for these patients13). Astrocytomas in the peri-aqueductal area are usually low grade and manifest relatively benign growth characteristics, both of which suggest a good prognosis9,10,12). Although some low grade astrocytomas can present with atypical behavior, characterized by metastatic spread1,2,4–6,8,11,14,16,17,20), all of those tumors were low grade gliomas located in the posterior fossa, with most being pilocytic astrocytomas in children. We describe here an adult with a low grade astrocytoma in the third ventricle (tegmentum), associated with ventricular dissemination and hydrocephalus, who was treated endoscopically. We discuss treatment and the possible mechanism of metastasis.

A 58-year-old female presented with headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual impairment lasting for one year. Neurological examination showed bilateral papilledema. There was no obvious memory loss, instability of gait, or urinary incontinence. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an obstructive hydrocephalus and a bulky lesion in the tegmentum close to the upper aqueduct, with a hypointense signal on T1-weighted MRI without enhancement (Fig. 1A–E). We performed an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). We choose a left frontal craniotomy, because the right frontal angle and interventricular foramen could not be dilated sufficiently to insert the endoscope (Fig. 1F). After introduction of the endoscope into the third ventricle, we observed a grey lesion located in the infundibular recess (Fig. 2A), not observed on the MRI (Fig. 1C, D). A biopsy was taken, showing that the tumor had a poor blood supply and obscure boundaries (Fig. 2B). A third ventriculostomy was performed to achieve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow between the ventricle and the cisterns (Fig. 2C). A grey, lobulated lesion, larger than the region in the infundibular recess, was observed in the upper aqueduct (Fig. 2D, E). Endoscopic biopsy showed that this tumor had a poor blood supply and adhered to the brain stem (Fig. 2F). The tumor was resected endoscopically as much as possible, although the aqueduct could not be completely cleared out. We also performed a fenestration of the septum pellucidum and confirmed that the contralateral interventricular foramen was normal and without obstruction (Fig. 2G, H).

Following the operation, the patient’s symptoms, including headache, nausea, and visual impairment, were improved. An MRI performed two days later showed that the lesion in the up per aqueduct had not been completely removed (Fig. 1G, H). Histological examinations of the two lesions both showed that both were low grade astrocytomas with Rosenthal fibers (Fig. 3). Because of the lack of adequate tumor tissue for complete histological examination, however, the exact pathological type (world health organization [WHO] 2007) of the tumor could not be determined.

One month after surgery, the patient was started on radiotherapy of the brain, lasting for 25 days, since tumor dissemination may suggest a more aggressive pathological behavior. Her recovery has been uneventful, with no further neurological deterioration

Brain stem tumors are relatively uncommon, accounting for about 2% of the intracranial tumors treated in our institution, with primary midbrain gliomas accounting for about 10% of brain stem tumors21). Most of these tumors are low grade gliomas with a relatively benign prognosis. Adult patients have better outcomes than children. Although disseminated low grade gliomas have been reported previously, midbrain gliomas with dissemination have, to our knowledge, not been described. We report the first case of a tegmental low grade astrocytoma ac companied by ventricular dissemination, which was detected during endoscopy but not during cranial imaging.

Most tumors in the tegmental area are low grade astrocytomas21). Although the specific pathological type (world health organization [WHO] 2007) of this tumor could not be determined because of a lack of sufficient tumor tissue, pathological examination revealed a low grade astrocytoma. Both tumors in our patient had similar histological characteristics, with the lesion in the tegmentum being larger than the lesion in the infundibular recess, suggesting that the smaller lesion is likely a secondary tumor derived from the larger one. Since both lesions were located in the ventricles, dissemination likely occurred through CSF flow. Dissemination of low grade gliomas through the CSF even shunt has been re ported previously2,4,5,14–16). Other metastatic patterns have also been reported, including leptomeningeal spread and white matter tract transfer4,5,8,11). The molecular mechanisms underlying the metastasis of low grade astrocytomas have not been fully elucidated, although they may involve specific extracellular substrates and metabolic capacities.

Patients with focal midbrain gliomas require treatment of hydrocephalus resulting from tumor obstruction of the aqueduct. Aggressive treatment methods, such as surgical debulking, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, are often not required7), with only one study recommending surgery21). Although adults with brain stem gliomas have a better prognosis than children18), there is insufficient data on midbrain gliomas to demonstrate a difference between these two age groups. Adults and children with focal midbrain gliomas should be treated similarly23), with aggressive treatments, such as tumor resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, generally not recommended. It remains un clear, however, whether patients with dissemination at diagnosis require more aggressive treatments. We treated our patient by biopsy and treatment of the obstructive hydrocephalus. Since ventricular dissemination was confirmed both endoscopically and histologically, we included adjunctive radiotherapy to enhance quality of life. Both V-P shunts and ETV are options for the treatment of hydrocephalus in those patients10,13,22,23). How ever endoscopic surgery has been recommended for patients with midbrain gliomas for several reasons: 1) these patients present with obstructive hydrocephalus, indicating the need for ETV; 2) the tumor can be at least partially resected during endoscopic biopsy; and 3) surgery can avoid shunt-related complications. Endoscopic surgery is also the treatment of choice for patients with focal midbrain gliomas accompanied by hydrocephalus3,10,13,19), with some requiring surgical resection21).

Patients with midbrain gliomas usually accompanied with hydrocephalus. Those patients mostly presented with hydrocephalys related symptoms, such as headache, vomiting, etc. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy, which can resolve hydrocephalus as well as get biopsy or resection of the tumor, is a suit able choice for those patients. Radiotherapy is opt for certain patients. Dissemination, which mainly through CSF, is rare in midbrain gliomas. More aggressive treatment maybe needed for Disseminated cases. Endoscopic surgery is a effective therapy for those accompanied with ventricular dissemination.