FOCAL PLAQUE OF DEMYELINATION MIMICKING CEREBRAL-TUMOR IN A PEDIATRIC-PATIENT

Focal, demyelinating lesions of the cerebrum mimicking brain tumors ar e a rare phenomenon, and even rarer in a pediatric population. We docu ment the case of a 14-year-old female whose clinical, radiological and operative findings were strongly suggestive of glioma. However, histo pathology revealed a demyelinating process. This case is significant a s the lesion could not be distinguished from a glioma at any time in t he presentation. At 41 months followup, the patient remains stable wit hout further evidence of demyelination in other areas of the brain. Su ch a case suggests a cautious note for the pediatrician when presented with a similar patient and illustrates the importance of consideratio n of a demyelinating lesion in the differential diagnosis of a mass le sion in a pediatric population.