Basal ganglia tumor
Among brain tumours, those arising from the deep brain are rare. In many cases they are low-grade astrocytomas. But primitive neuroectodermal tumors, ganglion cell tumors, oligodendrogliomas, lymphomas, and germinal neoplasms can also grow up from the basal ganglia and thalamus.
Differential diagnosis
In many cases they are low-grade astrocytomas. But primitive neuroectodermal tumors, ganglion cell tumors, oligodendrogliomas, lymphomas, and germ cell tumors can also grow up from the basal ganglia and thalamus.
Treatment
The surgical treatment of thalamic tumours and lesions in the basal ganglion area have been under debate due to their deep localization and adjacent critical structures. With the continuous development of neurosurgical technology, this area is no longer a restricted surgical area. A study of Saito et al. demonstrated that patients with thalamic high-grade glioma without invasion into the pyramidal tract and brainstem can be considered candidates for surgical resection 1).
Kadyrov et al. describe two cases of surgical treatment of well-circumscribed basal ganglia tumors. The choice of a neurosurgical approach to a deep tumor was based on the MR tractography data and depended on the course and dislocation extent of the corticospinal tract. MR tractography provides information on the course and dislocation or destruction extent of the corticospinal tract running in the internal capsule and brainstem and clarifies the exact location of a tumor within the basal ganglia. This information promotes the choice of an optimal approach for radical resection of well-circumscribed tumor, leading to improvement in neurological symptoms and patient's quality of life 2).