Autopsy case of undiagnosed gangliocytoma in the medulla oblongata complicated with cerebral palsy. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takahashi, Motonori; Kondo, Takeshi; Morichika, Mai; Kuse, Azumi; Nakagawa, Kanako; Asano, Migiwa; Ueno, Yasuhiro
• Is Part Of: Legal medicine. Volume 19(2016)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: CT computed tomography -- NSE neuron-specific enolase; Medicolegal autopsy -- Brain stem -- Medullary respiratory center -- Cerebellar atrophy; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Medical jurisprudence; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.07.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1344-6223

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The patient died from undiagnosed gangliocytoma in the medulla oblongata. Gangliocytoma is generally considered to be histologically benign. The tumor involved the respiratory center and caused death of the patient. Symptoms caused by the tumor may have been overlooked owing to cerebral palsy. Abstract: A Japanese man in his 30s who had congenital cerebral palsy was found unresponsive in bed. His death was confirmed after resuscitation attempts. He had a history of occasional falling (despite the use of walking sticks and a wheelchair) owing to a slowly progressive gait disturbance, and had a medical examination without full neurological re-examination. Autopsy revealed gangliocytoma in the medulla oblongata, which was diagnosed as the cause of death. Although gangliocytoma is a well-differentiated benign tumor, the almost total replacement of the medulla oblongata by the tumor cells was assumed to result in ataxia via the olivocerebellar tract and secondary cerebellar atrophy, followed by central hypoventilation and death of the patient. The symptoms caused by gangliocytoma may be overlooked owing to long-standing cerebral palsy.