An infant with hyperalertness, hyperkinesis, and failure to thrive: a rare diencephalic syndrome due to hypothalamic anaplastic astrocytoma

BMC Cancer
Alessia StivalIacopo Sardi

Abstract

Diencephalic Syndrome is a rare clinical condition of failure to thrive despite a normal caloric intake, hyperalertness, hyperkinesis, and euphoria usually associated with low-grade hypothalamic astrocytomas. We reported an unusual case of diencephalic cachexia due to hypothalamic anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO-grade III). Baseline endocrine function evaluation was performed in this patient before surgery. After histological diagnosis, he enrolled to a chemotherapy program with sequential high-dose chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell rescue. The last MRI evaluation showed a good response. The patient is still alive with good visual function 21 months after starting chemotherapy. Diencephalic cachexia can rarely be due to high-grade hypothalamic astrocytoma. We suggest that a nutritional support with chemotherapy given to high doses without radiotherapy could be an effective strategy for treatment of a poor-prognosis disease.

References

Mar 1, 1976·The Journal of Pediatrics·I M BurrI J Butler
Jun 1, 1972·Archives of Disease in Childhood·D P Addy, F P Hudson
Sep 1, 1965·Journal of Neurosurgery·K R SmithW H McAlister
May 1, 1994·Brain & Development·E Chipkevitch
May 16, 2006·Clinical Nutrition : Official Journal of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·J ArendsUNKNOWN ESPEN (European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition)
Sep 8, 2006·Clinical Dysmorphology·Anne-Marie MurphySally Ann Lynch
Sep 12, 2006·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·C DufourC Kalifa
Jan 31, 2007·Clinical Nutrition : Official Journal of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·Sílvia BusquetsFrancisco J López-Soriano
Jul 10, 2007·Acta Neuropathologica·David N LouisPaul Kleihues
Jun 3, 2009·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Perrine Marec-BerardDidier Frappaz
Mar 17, 2010·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Patrick Y WenSusan M Chang
May 22, 2010·Clinical Pediatrics·Chia-Wen Lee, Erawati V Bawle
Sep 28, 2012·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Brian ShieldsCharlotte M Wright
Feb 23, 2013·American Journal of Clinical Pathology·Gerrit H GielenTorsten Pietsch

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 28, 2017·Zhurnal voprosy neĭrokhirurgii imeni N. N. Burdenko·I S KlochkovaI N Pronin
May 8, 2021·AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology·J C BensonJ Guerin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
biopsy
surgical resection

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cachexia & Brown Fat

Cachexia is a condition associated with progressive weight loss due to severe illness. In cancer patients, it is proposed to occur as a result of tumor-induced energy wasting. Several proteins have been implicated in browning and depletion of white adipose tissue. Here is the latest research on cachexia and brown fat.

Blood And Marrow Transplantation

The use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or blood and marrow transplantation (bmt) is on the increase worldwide. BMT is used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Here is the latest research on bone and marrow transplantation.

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe weight loss and secondary problems associated with malnutrition. Here is the latest research on AN.

Attention Disorders

Attention is involved in all cognitive activities, and attention disorders are reported in patients with various neurological diseases. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to attention disorders.

Cardiac Cachexia

Cardiac cachexia is a syndrome associated with the progressive loss of muscle and fat mass. It most commonly affects patients with heart failure and can significantly decrease the quality of life and survival in these patients. Here is the latest research on cardiac cachexia.

Related Papers

The Journal of Pediatrics
Mini G PillaiHarish Kumar
Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
Narumon DensupsoontornPipat Chiewvit
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved