Recurrent HGNET-MN1 altered (astroblastoma MN1-altered) of the foramen magnum: Case report and molecular classification.

BACKGROUND

Astroblastoma is a rare primary brain tumor of unclear origin, often occurring in young patients less than 30-years-old. It typically arises supratentorially and is diagnosed based on histological features including vascular hyalinization and perivascular pseudorosettes. Recent molecular characterization of primary CNS high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with meningioma I alteration (HGNET-) found that HGNET- and tumors with morphological signatures of astroblastoma clustered together. Further analysis revealed such astroblastomas have alteration and the 2021 WHO classification of tumors of the CNS now recognizes astroblastoma altered as a new entity.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here, we present the case of a 36-year-old right-handed woman with recurrent low-grade astroblastoma in the cervicomedullary junction. The patient presented with worsening motor and sensory deficits of her upper extremities, pain, ataxia, visual disturbance, and nausea. Due to extensive recurrence and neurological symptoms, the patient underwent reoperation.

CONCLUSION

We review a rare case of recurrent astroblastoma in the foramen magnum in light of new relevant literature about tumor biology and prognostic significance of the new classification of astroblastoma -altered.