J Korean Epilepsy Soc.  2011 Dec;15(1):24-30.

Clinical Manifestations of Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma in Tuberous Sclerosis Patients

• Yu HJ
• Lee CG
• Lee J
• Shin HJ
• Lee M

Abstract

PURPOSE
We described the presenting symptoms, radiologic features and postoperative course of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study including 12 patients (M:F=9:3) who were pathologically confirmed as SEGA between March 1998 and May 2011.
RESULTS
Five teenage patients consisted of four who presented with recently appeared headache, vomiting and visual symptoms and one with seizure were never diagnosed as TSC before this presentation. The others (n=7) presented with seizure and diagnosed with TSC before three years of age, and they were diagnosed as SEGA after median 6.5 (2-14) years. The presenting symptoms were headache or vomiting (n=7), blurred vision (n=3), weakness (n=2) and increased seizure frequency (n=1). Four patients experienced tumor recurrence between five months and three years of follow-up; surgical tumor removal (n=1) and gamma knife surgery (n=3) were done for the recurred tumor. The size of residual tumor increased in two patients and repeated tumor removal was done.
CONCLUSIONS
Most of SEGA presented with new onset headache, vomiting and visual symptoms. After surgery, the tumor recurred in 25% of patients. Serial follow-up is essential to detect new lesion and find tumor recurrence in patients with SEGA.

Keyword

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma; Tuberous sclerosis complex; Tumor

MeSH Terms

Astrocytoma
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Humans
Neoplasm, Residual
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Seizures
Tuberous Sclerosis
Vision, Ocular
Vomiting