Nodal gliomatosis and alpha-fetoprotein production. Two unusual facets of grade I ovarian teratoma.

We describe the case of a 10-month-old infant who had a grade I solid teratoma of the ovary. It is remarkable that the tumor was accompanied by nodal gliomatosis and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. To our knowledge, this is the first description of nodal gliomatosis in the absence of gliomatosis peritonei, and the fifth report of elevated serum AFP with a pure teratoma. Like gliomatosis peritonei, nodal gliomatosis appears to be a benign condition, requiring no adjuvant therapy. The nature of the nodal implants was confirmed by positive immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein. By a similar method, AFP was found in the primary tumor in cells lining yolk-sac-like vesicles and intestinal-type glands.