Pediatric Spinal Cord Astrocytoma With Granular Cell-Like Morphology and KIAA1549::BRAF Fusion.
Yuka Ogawa, Takeshi Hiu, Hiroko Hayashi et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A pediatric patient presented with a spinal cord tumor exhibiting prominent granular cell-like features, complicating the initial diagnosis. Intraoperative and histopathological evaluations suggested a granular cell astrocytoma, but classical features of pilocytic astrocytoma were absent. Molecular profiling revealed a KIAA1549::BRAF fusion, leading to a revised diagnosis of pilocytic astrocytoma, emphasizing the importance of molecular analysis in challenging cases.
What made this case unusual
The tumor's granular cell-like morphology significantly deviated from typical pilocytic astrocytoma characteristics, creating a diagnostic challenge.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider molecular profiling, such as BRAF alteration assessment, when faced with atypical presentations of pediatric spinal cord tumors to ensure accurate diagnosis.
Why it matters
This case illustrates the morphological variability of pilocytic astrocytomas and the critical role of genetic analysis in guiding diagnosis and treatment in pediatric oncology.