Gangliogliomas involving the optic chiasm

Abstract

We report three patients with gangliogliomas involving the optic chiasm via distinct mechanisms. The ganglioglioma in one patient likely originated in the temporal lobe and spread medially to involve the chiasm, and diffuse spinal cord dissemination also occurred. Chiasmal involvement in this manner and dissemination at presentation are unusual for gangliogliomas. The tumor in a second patient was intrinsic to the hypothalmus and chiasm, while in the third patient, it involved both optic tracts, and a cyst compressed the chiasm laterally. Two patients developed severe bilateral visual loss, while the other had a stable bitemporal hemianopsia. Two patients received radiotherapy, but one continued to lose vision. Although gangliogliomas rarely involve chiasm, the mechanisms by which they produce chiasmal visual loss may be diverse, and the long-term visual prognosis is variable.