Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression

Papillary glioneuronal tumors (PGNTs) are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Grade I neoplasms, with only sporadic reports of anaplastic variants demonstrating aggressive clinical behavior and distinct histopathological characteristics. This study presents two cases of anaplastic P...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yifan Zhang, Jialin He, Wei Xue, Jingqin Fang, Xuesong Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1598058/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849407622620381184
author Yifan Zhang
Yifan Zhang
Jialin He
Jialin He
Wei Xue
Jingqin Fang
Xuesong Du
Xuesong Du
author_facet Yifan Zhang
Yifan Zhang
Jialin He
Jialin He
Wei Xue
Jingqin Fang
Xuesong Du
Xuesong Du
author_sort Yifan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Papillary glioneuronal tumors (PGNTs) are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Grade I neoplasms, with only sporadic reports of anaplastic variants demonstrating aggressive clinical behavior and distinct histopathological characteristics. This study presents two cases of anaplastic PGNT, including one that ultimately progressed to glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV). The first case involved a 47-year-old female patient without a history of seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular mass containing multiple cysts and a mural nodule in the left parietal lobe. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of anaplastic PGNT. Nineteen months later, follow-up brain MRI demonstrated a recurrent mass at the prior surgical site. During the second resection, histological analysis identified glioblastoma arising from the glial component of the original tumor. The second case concerned a 7-year-old boy presenting with progressive headache. MRI showed a solid-cystic mass in the right frontal lobe accompanied by marked peritumoral edema. Postoperative pathological examination revealed anaplastic PGNT with extensive necrosis. MRI characteristics including prominent peritumoral edema, ring-enhancing cyst walls, restricted diffusion, and elevated lipid/lactate peaks may predict the aggressive nature of anaplastic PGNT. Furthermore, this case series suggests that anaplastic PGNTs harbor malignant potential to transform into more aggressive neoplasms.
format Article
id doaj-art-01551a2c92dc42969ae3a231e76381d2
institution Kabale University
issn 2234-943X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-01551a2c92dc42969ae3a231e76381d22025-08-20T03:36:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-08-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15980581598058Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progressionYifan Zhang0Yifan Zhang1Jialin He2Jialin He3Wei Xue4Jingqin Fang5Xuesong Du6Xuesong Du7Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, Lanzhou, ChinaMedical Imaging Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaSchool of Modern Health and Regimen Industry, Anhui Sanlian University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, Lanzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaMedical Imaging Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaPapillary glioneuronal tumors (PGNTs) are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Grade I neoplasms, with only sporadic reports of anaplastic variants demonstrating aggressive clinical behavior and distinct histopathological characteristics. This study presents two cases of anaplastic PGNT, including one that ultimately progressed to glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV). The first case involved a 47-year-old female patient without a history of seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular mass containing multiple cysts and a mural nodule in the left parietal lobe. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of anaplastic PGNT. Nineteen months later, follow-up brain MRI demonstrated a recurrent mass at the prior surgical site. During the second resection, histological analysis identified glioblastoma arising from the glial component of the original tumor. The second case concerned a 7-year-old boy presenting with progressive headache. MRI showed a solid-cystic mass in the right frontal lobe accompanied by marked peritumoral edema. Postoperative pathological examination revealed anaplastic PGNT with extensive necrosis. MRI characteristics including prominent peritumoral edema, ring-enhancing cyst walls, restricted diffusion, and elevated lipid/lactate peaks may predict the aggressive nature of anaplastic PGNT. Furthermore, this case series suggests that anaplastic PGNTs harbor malignant potential to transform into more aggressive neoplasms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1598058/fullpapillary glioneuronal tumoranaplasticadvanced MRIrecurrentmalignant transformation
spellingShingle Yifan Zhang
Yifan Zhang
Jialin He
Jialin He
Wei Xue
Jingqin Fang
Xuesong Du
Xuesong Du
Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
Frontiers in Oncology
papillary glioneuronal tumor
anaplastic
advanced MRI
recurrent
malignant transformation
title Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
title_full Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
title_fullStr Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
title_short Case Report: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor: one case with glioblastoma-like progression
title_sort case report advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of anaplastic papillary glioneuronal tumor one case with glioblastoma like progression
topic papillary glioneuronal tumor
anaplastic
advanced MRI
recurrent
malignant transformation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1598058/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yifanzhang casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT yifanzhang casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT jialinhe casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT jialinhe casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT weixue casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT jingqinfang casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT xuesongdu casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression
AT xuesongdu casereportadvancedmagneticresonanceimagingfindingsintwocasesofanaplasticpapillaryglioneuronaltumoronecasewithglioblastomalikeprogression