Tectal glioma
Tectal gliomas fall under the grouping of childhood brainstem gliomas. They are typically low grade astrocytomas which expand from the tectal plate. Their expansion within the brainstem causes narrowing the aqueduct of Sylvius and causing obstructive hydrocephalus. They are slow growing and shunting is often the only required intervention for long term survival.
Additional symptoms my include gaze palsies, due to compression of the medial longitudinal fasiculus leading to an upgaze pasly, diplopia or Parinaud syndrome.
Radiographic features
MRI
Typically these tumours demonstrate expansion of the tectal plate, with minimal or no enhancement.
- T1 : hypo intense to brainstem
- T2 : either iso or hyper intense to the remainder of the brainstem
Treatment and prognosis
These lesions are essentially benign and if CSF shunting is successful then long term survival is ensured. In the minority of patients who progress, radiotherapy often leads to local control or even tumour regression 3.
