Disseminated craniospinal low-grade glioma in a patient with NF-1 without optic pathway pathology: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a neurocutaneous autosomal dominant disorder that predisposes patients to develop intracranial low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Most LGGs in patients with NF-1 involve the optic pathway but can arise anywhere throughout the central nervous system. NF-1–related disseminated pediatric LGG (dPLGG) in the absence of a dominant optic pathway glioma has not been described. OBSERVATIONS The authors discussed a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with consideration for biopsy with nonoptic pathway PLGG with craniospinal dPLGG in the setting of NF-1. The patient’s primary lesion, located in the right medulla, was initially treated with surveillance before induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and vincristine was initiated. However, surveillance imaging demonstrated significant increase in size and enhancement, and subsequent craniospinal imaging demonstrated extensive nodular dissemination in the cervicothoracic spine. A biopsy and molecular testing were subsequently performed to further evaluate the tumor, and the patient was diagnosed with dPLGG with CDKN2A deletion. LESSONS Thorough craniospinal magnetic resonance imaging evaluation and biopsy in nonoptic pathway–dominant brain lesions in NF-1 are warranted in patients with atypical clinical and radiological findings in whom standard chemotherapeutic therapy fails.