Tectal Plate Glioma Clinical Trial
Official title:
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Analysis of Pediatric Tectal Tumors: Insight Into Pathology and Behavior
Tectal plate gliomas are relatively rare tumors of childhood with a reported incidence of
10%. Their typical clinical presentation is symptoms and signs of hydrocephalus and are
often incidentally diagnosed in the imaging work-up of children with hydrocephalus. Tectal
tumors in children comprise a subcategory of brainstem tumors with unique clinical, imaging,
and spectroscopic features. There is debate whether they truly represent brainstem tumors or
whether they are a site of benign cellular overgrowth. The majority of these tumors are
pathologically benign and show no or minimal growth. Not all tectal plate tumors, however,
have this typically benign course. Some can manifest a more aggressive behavior. There have
been reports in the past attempting to analyze the histology and behavior of these tumors.
None of the prior series looking at these tumors have included Magnetic Resonance
Spectroscopy (MRS) analysis.
It is interesting that according to where tumors occur in the brainstem usually indicates
what their histology and behavior is. Although not absolute, we know that tumors can have a
very poor prognosis versus an extremely good prognosis depending on their location in the
brainstem. Yet there are always the cases that do not act in the typical fashion and this is
where MRS can prove helpful.
This study is being done to look at a region of the brain, called the tectal plate, in
children. This part of the brain can be involved by tumors. Because of the location of the
tectal plate, it is usually very difficult and risky to get a biopsy (tissue sample) from
this area. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that
can look at the chemical make up of the brain. MRS may allow us to better understand the
nature and behavior of these tumors. However, in order to understand disease in this area,
we need to look at the normal chemical make up of the brain in children without tectal plate
tumors. Healthy patients are being asked to participate as a normal volunteer. We anticipate
having a total of 10 to 12 normal volunteers in the MRS study.
| Status | Withdrawn |
| Enrollment | 0 |
| Est. completion date | December 2007 |
| Est. primary completion date | December 2007 |
| Accepts healthy volunteers | Accepts Healthy Volunteers |
| Gender | Both |
| Age group | 4 Years to 18 Years |
| Eligibility |
Inclusion Criteria: - patients who are already scheduled for a brain MRI at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite for reasons other than tectal plate glioma evaluation Exclusion Criteria: - patients with tectal plate glioma |
Observational Model: Case-Only, Time Perspective: Retrospective
| Country | Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite | Atlanta | Georgia |
| Lead Sponsor | Collaborator |
|---|---|
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta |
United States,