Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor in a 4-year-old child with urinary tract infection: A case report

Abstract

Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DLGNT) is a rare pediatric neoplasm characterized by diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. Patients may present with a range of symptoms, including headaches, vomiting, seizures, and signs of increased intracranial pressure, such as hydrocephalus. Most of these tumors show slow progression and are usually managed through surgical resection, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Tumors located along the neural axis can interfere with the pathways that control bladder storage and voiding mechanisms. As a result, children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors may encounter different levels of bladder dysfunction. This case report describes a 4-year-old girl who was admitted due to dysuria and lower abdominal pain. Her mother reported that she had paraplegia in her lower extremities, which was accompanied by claudication for 2 days. The patient underwent an MRI following confirmation of the DLGNT diagnosis and exclusion of other etiologies, and Our patient underwent surgical resection of the mass 5 days after admission to the hospital. Remarkably, the patient experienced no complications. Follow-up MRI scans were obtained in two stages, 4 months apart, which demonstrated no evidence of contrast enhancement. Furthermore, this case highlights the possible genetic factors involved in the development of DLGNT, underscoring the need for further exploration of the genetic landscape associated with this rare tumor.