A rare association of ganglioglioma and cavernous malformation: Report of two cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Some glial tumors have been observed in association with different types of vascular malformations of the brain (angiogliomas). However, the association of ganglioglioma with other vascular malformations is extremely rare, with only few cases reported in the literature, one of which is referred to as "angioganglioglioma."

CASE DESCRIPTION: Two patients presented with acute onset of neurological symptoms, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding of cavernoma of the left middle cerebellar penduncle, and small mass of the chiasmatic region, respectively. After microsurgical excision, histopathological examination revealed mixed ganglioglioma and cavernous malformation in both cases. Postoperative course was uneventful, and follow-up MRI showed complete removal of the tumor with no recurrence after 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Angiogliomas are very uncommon tumors. In literature, we found different interpretations of such lesions, although they should most probably be considered as distinct pathological entities. Although the association of ganglioglioma with cavernoma is extremely rare, it could be considered as a most peculiar form of angioglioma, and supports the existence of angioganglioglioma.