ASTROCYTOMA WITH WIDESPREAD CALCIFICATION ALONG AXONAL FIBERS

We describe a 44-year-old man found to have a diffusely calcified astrocytoma originating in the left frontoparietal region and extending along the axonal fibres into the opposite cerebral hemisphere and brain stem. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated the spread of the tumour. The tumour was partially resected and histologically diagnosed as an astrocytoma. A correct preoperative diagnosis was difficult, because the lesion was very slow-growing and its widespread calcification mimicked congenital or inflammatory calcium deposits.