GLIOMATOSIS CEREBRI PRESENTING WITH OPTIC-NERVE INVOLVEMENT - MRI

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare form of astrocytoma characterized by ext reme infiltration of the brain structure in conjunction with a relativ e paucity of clinical findings. We describe the MRI findings in a pati ent with gliomatosis cerebri widely infiltrating the brain who present ed with symptoms related to involvement of the optic nerves and chiasm . Contrast-enhanced MRI showed enlargement of the optic nerves and chi asm with pathological enhancement; T2-weighted images showed extensive infiltration of the brain by tumor. Histopathologic ex amination of t he biopsy specimen showed anaplastic astrocytoma with gemistocytic pre dominance and a diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri was reached.