Cutaneous Angiolipomatous Hamartoma Nima Amini, MD; Syed Abedi, MD; Silvija P

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Cutaneous Angiolipomatous Hamartoma Nima Amini, MD; Syed Abedi, MD; Silvija P Cutaneous Angiolipomatous Hamartoma Nima Amini, MD; Syed Abedi, MD; Silvija P. Gottesman, MD; Thinh Chau, BS; Jacqueline M Junkins-Hopkins,MD Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, NY However, only anatomic structures were Introduction immunoreactive to AE1/AE3. A benign Cutaneous vascular anomalies are hamartomatous vascular neoplasm classified as follows: hamartomas, composed of blood vessels and adipose malformations, dilatations of pre-existing tissue was ultimately favored. vessels, hyperplasias, or neoplasms (benign or malignant). Hamartoma is Discussion defined as a disorganized arrangement of tissues indigenous to an organ. Cutaneous The main challenge of this unique case is vascular hamartomas are rare, and include that certain histologic features fit those of a phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (co- hamartomatous vascular entity whereas existence of capillary malformation and others resemble those of a vascular melanocytic lesion) and eccrine neoplasm. Hamartomas encompass several angiomatous hamartoma (EAH), which is a Figure 1. Histopathology of the left temple lesion on H&E stain Figure 2. Overlapping histologic features of a hamartoma and a combined vascular and melanocytic (20X) vascular neoplasm were observed on H&E stain (40X) dermal proliferation of eccrine glands and proliferations, grouped as phakomatosis thin-walled blood vessels, usually noted at pigmentovascularis and so-called eccrine birth or during infancy. PTEN hamartoma of CD10 angiomatous hamartoma which exhibits both soft tissue (PHOST) is a distinctive lesion, eccrine and vascular proliferations. usually intramuscular or subcuticular, in Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH), a patients with PTEN hamartomatous tumor rare cutaneous hamartoma, share similar syndrome (PHTS). PHTS is characterized histologic features to our case. However, our by hamartomatous elements of adipose lesion is distinct based on late clinical onset, tissue and vessels, predominantly with a absent eccrine proliferation and smooth fibromyxoid stroma and occasionally other muscle bundles, and prominent elements (lymphoid follicles, neural tissue, subcutaneous extension. Multiple lesions are and bone). We report a case of a typical in patients with EAH whereas our hamartomatous-appearing vascular lesion, patient presented with a solitary lesion. which does not fulfill histologic criteria for Although our case bears histologic the aforementioned entities. Figure 3. Overlapping histologic features of a hamartoma and a Figure 4. Histopathology of the lesion with vessels and adipose vascular neoplasm were observed on H&E stain (100X) tissue on H&E stain (100X) resemblance to PHOST, a fibromyxoid Case History stroma was absent in our case. The TryptaseMNF116 occasional lymphoid follicles, neural tissue A 70-year-old man presented with a 2-year and bone were not also observed. history of a 1.5cm cystic lesion on the left temple. Histologically, there were variably Immunohistochemical studies were crucial to dilated thick-walled blood vessels intimately distinguishing this new entity from previously associated with smaller vessels and discussed conditions. AE1/AE3 highlighted a adipocytes in the dermis and subcutis, with pattern favoring entrapped anatomic eccrine entrapment of anatomic eccrine glands. glands in contrast to eccrine proliferation, a (Figure 1, 4) Immunostain against CD31 characteristic feature of EAH. and SMA highlighted well-formed vessels; References 1.Requena L, Sangueza OP. Cutaneous vascular anomalies. smooth muscle bundles were absent. No Part I. Hamartomas, malformations, and dilation of preexisting distinct spindle cell component was vessels. Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. 1997 highlighted by SMA staining. Scattered October;37(4):523-49; quiz 549-52. Figure 5. Entrapped eccrine glands (200X) eccrine glands were seen. Contact info: [email protected] .
Recommended publications
  • Brain Tumors
    Neuro-Pathology P a g e | 8 Brain Tumors Pathological finding Tumor Pseudorosette Ependymoma, SEGA Rosenthal fibers Pilocytic astrocytoma Rosettes Medulloblastoma Wet Keratin Craniopharyngioma Psammoma bodies Meningioma Fried egg Oligodendroglioma Medulloblastoma - Kids, midline, Cerebellum, diffuse contrast enhancement - Can seed in CSF (drop mets) but rarely involve meninges - On MRS, there is a choline and taurine peak Stains positive for Synaptophysin Rosettes formation Pilocytic astrocytoma: - Kids, cystic with an enhancing mural nodule. - Can occur in optic tract in patients with NF1 - Associated with BRAF gene mutation Pathology: Cells with long processes - Rosenthal fibers (intense red deposits formed of hyaline) Hair like processes arranged in Rosenthal fiber Smear of pilocytic cells bundles, resemble mats of hair Ahmed Koriesh, MD Neuro-Pathology P a g e | 9 SEGA: - In patients with TS (TSC1 in ch 9q34 and TSC2 in ch 16) Pathology: large polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, perivascular pseudo- rosettes GFAP H&E Oligodendroglioma: - Adults, lobar, associated with IDH mutation - Anaplastic (Grade III) associated with allelic loss at ch 1p and 19q Pathology shows rounded nuclei, prominent cytoplasm with clear halo (Fried egg) GFAB stain H&E Colloid cyst: - Usually arise in the 3rd ventricle close to the foramen of Monroe - MRI: isointense on T1, hyperintnse in T2 Pathology shows simple cuboidal or columnar epithelium, full of proteinaceous material Ahmed Koriesh, MD Neuro-Pathology P a g e | 10 Ependymoma: - Usually
    [Show full text]
  • Mesenchymoma of the Lung (So Called Hamartoma): a Review of 154 Parenchymal and Endobronchial Cases
    Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.42.10.790 on 1 October 1987. Downloaded from Thorax 1987;42:790-793 Mesenchymoma of the lung (so called hamartoma): a review of 154 parenchymal and endobronchial cases J M M VAN DEN BOSCH, Sj Sc WAGENAAR, B CORRIN, J R J ELBERS, P J KNAEPEN, C JJ WESTERMANN From the Department ofPulmonary Disease, Pathology, and Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, and the Department of Thoracic Pathology, Cardiothoracic Institute and Brompton Hospital, London ABSTRACT In a series of 154 patients (116 male and 38 female) with so called pulmonary hamartoma the peak incidence was in the sixth decade, with only three patients less than 20 years of age. Sequential radiographs showed that in 55 patients the tumour first appeared in adult life and that in 53 it progressively increased in size. The age incidence and progressive growth leads to the conclusion that the tumour is a benign neoplasm rather than a hamartoma, consisting of various connective tissues intersected by clefts lined by respiratory epithelium. The epithelial elements are regarded as entrapped non-neoplastic inclusions and the tumour as a purely mesenchymal neo- plasm: the name mesenchymoma therefore seems the most appropriate. There were two recurrences after simple enucleation, 10 and 12 years later. A total of 142 tumours were parenchymal, and only 12 were endobronchial. All lobes were affected but there was a slight preponderance in the left uppercopyright. lobe. Four patients had two (synchronous) mesenchymomas. There was an associated bronchial carcinoma in 11 patients, synchronous in six and metachronous in five.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamartomatous Polyps of the Colon - Ganglioneuromatous, Stromal, and Lipomatous
    UC San Diego UC San Diego Previously Published Works Title Hamartomatous polyps of the colon - Ganglioneuromatous, stromal, and lipomatous Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/85v9m19r Journal Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 130(10) ISSN 0003-9985 Authors Chan, Owen T M Haghighi, Parviz Publication Date 2006-10-01 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Hamartomatous Polyps of the Colon Ganglioneuromatous, Stromal, and Lipomatous Owen T. M. Chan, MD, PhD; Parviz Haghighi, MD ● Intestinal ganglioneuromas comprise benign, hamar- As part of the hamartomatous polyposes, intestinal tomatous polyps characterized by an overgrowth of nerve ganglioneuromatosis is a benign proliferation of nerve ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and supporting cells in the gas- ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and supporting cells of the trointestinal tract. This polyposis has been divided into 3 enteric nervous system.1 Common symptoms include con- subgroups, each with a different degree of ganglioneuroma stipation, diarrhea, or bleeding. In the gastrointestinal formation: polypoid ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuromatous tract, these overgrowths can project into the lumen as pol- polyposis, and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. The gangli- yps, thicken the mucosa, or extend from the serosal sur- oneuromatous polyposis subgroup is not known to coexist face. The Table categorizes the hereditary polyposis syn- with systemic disorders that often have an associated in- dromes and highlights the subgroups of intestinal gangli- testinal polyposis, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia oneuromatosis. type IIb, neurofibromatosis type I, and Cowden syndrome. We report a case of ganglioneuromatous polyposis plus cu- REPORT OF A CASE taneous lipomatosis in a 41-year-old man with no estab- lished systemic disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Multinodular and Vacuolating Neuronal Tumor of the Cerebrum: a New “Leave Me Alone” Lesion with a Characteristic Imaging Pattern
    CLINICAL REPORT ADULT BRAIN Multinodular and Vacuolating Neuronal Tumor of the Cerebrum: A New “Leave Me Alone” Lesion with a Characteristic Imaging Pattern X R.H. Nunes, X C.C. Hsu, X A.J. da Rocha, X L.L.F. do Amaral, X L.F.S. Godoy, X T.W. Watkins, X V.H. Marussi, X M. Warmuth-Metz, X H.C. Alves, X F.G. Goncalves, X B.K. Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, and X A.G. Osborn ABSTRACT SUMMARY: Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum is a recently reported benign, mixed glial neuronal lesion that is included in the 2016 updated World Health Organization classification of brain neoplasms as a unique cytoarchitectural pattern of gangliocytoma. We report 33 cases of presumed multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum that exhibit a remarkably similar pattern of imaging findings consisting of a subcortical cluster of nodular lesions located on the inner surface of an otherwise normal-appearing cortex, principally within the deep cortical ribbon and superficial subcortical white matter, which is hyperintense on FLAIR. Only 4 of our cases are biopsy-proven because most were asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. The remaining were followed for a minimum of 24 months (mean, 3 years) without interval change. We demonstrate that these are benign, nonaggressive lesions that do not require biopsy in asymptomatic patients and behave more like a malformative process than a true neoplasm. ABBREVIATIONS: DNET ϭ dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor; MVNT ϭ multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum ultinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum in many of our cases, were followed for years without demonstrat- M(MVNT) was first described in 2013 as a benign seizure-asso- ing interval change.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamartoma of the Tuber Cinereum: a Comparison of MR and CT Findings in Four Cases
    497 Hamartoma of the Tuber Cinereum: A Comparison of MR and CT Findings in Four Cases 1 2 Edward M. Burton " Hamartoma of the tuber cinereum is a well-recognized cause of central precocious WilliamS. Ball, Jr.1 puberty. We report three patients with an isodense, nonenhancing mass within the Kerry Crone3 interpeduncular cistern identified by CT. In a fourth patient, the CT scan was normal. Lawrence M. Dolan4 MR imaging was obtained in all cases and demonstrated a sessile or pedunculated mass of the posterior hypothalamus arising from the region of the tuber cinereum. The smallest mass was 2 mm in diameter and was found in the patient in whom the CT scan was normal. The signal intensity of the masses was generally homogeneous and isointense relative to gray matter on T1- and intermediate-weighted images, and hyper­ intense on T2-weighted images. MR imaging accurately diagnoses hypothalamic hamartomas, identifies small hamar­ tomas of the tuber cinereum more sensitively than CT does, and provides optimal imaging for serial evaluation while the patient is being treated medically. Central (neurogenic or true) precocious puberty is caused by premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, resulting in sexual maturation prior to age 7112 years in females and age 9 years in males . Hamartoma of the tuber cinereum is a well-recognized cause of central precocious puberty [1 , 2] , with approximately 90 cases previously reported in the radiologic literature [3-9]. There are, however, few reports describing its appearance on CT [6-12] and MR imaging [9, 13]. We report four cases of hypothalamic hamartoma causing precocious puberty, and describe their pertinent CT and MR characteristics.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhabdomyomatous Mesenchymal Hamartoma: a Case Report Hamartoma Mesenquimal Rabdomiomatoso: Um Relato De Caso 10.5935/1676-2444.20140011
    CASE REPORT J Bras Patol Med Lab, v. 50, n. 2, p. 165-166, abril 2014 Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma: a case report Hamartoma mesenquimal rabdomiomatoso: um relato de caso 10.5935/1676-2444.20140011 Fernanda Alves Luiz Rodrigues1; Maria Auxiliadora de Paula Carneiro Cysneiros2; Rubson Rodrigues Júnior3; Denis Masashi Sugita1 ABSTRACT The rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma (RMH) is a rare type of hamartoma, composed of randomly arranged striated muscle fibers in dermis and subcutaneous tissue, associated with normal mesenchymal elements. Our objective is to report a case of this rare entity that occurred in the nasal dorsum of a 4-year-old child. Key words: hamartoma; mesenchymal; rhabdomyomatous; striated muscle; skin. INTRODUCTION nasal dorsum, in the right paramedian position, causing discrete adjacent bone erosion, and measuring approximately 1 cm in Originally described in 1986 by Hendrick et al. as striated diameter, with a nonspecific appearance (Figure 1). muscle hamartoma, the rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal Excision of the lesion was carried out, and followed by good hamartoma (RMH) of the skin is a rare congenital tumor that scarring. affects predominantly the face and neck of newborns, with rare cases reported in the literature(7, 10, 20). The patient has so far presented no symptoms and signs of recurrence. The RMH occurs as a single or multiple lesions, generally polypoid, typically located in the midline(19), and is characterized No contrast Axial sections by the presence of mesenchymal elements (adipose, connective, vascular, and nervous tissues) and striated muscles, randomly arranged in dermis and subcutaneous tissues(7, 15, 19, 20). CASE REPORT Contrast A 4-year-old male child presented with a hardened well- delimited congenital solid tumoration in nasal dorsum.
    [Show full text]
  • Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Liver Mimicking Hydatid Cyst
    & The ics ra tr pe ia u Atas et al., Pediatr Therapeut 2012, 2:3 t i d c e s P DOI: 10.4172/2161-0665.1000120 Pediatrics & Therapeutics ISSN: 2161-0665 Case Report Open Access Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Liver Mimicking Hydatid Cyst Erman Ataş1, Metin Demirkaya1*, Vural Kesik1, Necati Balamtekin2 and Murat Kocaoglu3 1Gülhane Military Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Ankara, Turkey 2Gülhane Military Medical School, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara, Turkey 3Gülhane Military Medical School, Department of Radiology, Ankara, Turkey Abstract Mesenchymal hamartomas are the second most common benign tumor of the liver in the pediatric age group. Cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver must be distinguished from other liver tumors such as infantile haemangioendothelioma, hepatoblastoma and biliary rhabdomyosarcoma are all described and there can be considerable overlap in their radiological appearance. Some children with cystic mesenchymal hamartoma have been inappropriately treated for presumed hydatid disease. We report a 2-year-old boy with mesenchymal hamartoma mimicking hydatid cyst. Keywords: Mesenchymal hamartoma; Liver; Children; Hydatid that was 11x9 cm in diameter with smooth margins and septations disease were observed at the left lobe of liver. The patient has a history of a contact with a dog nine months ago. ELISA serology for Echinococcus Introduction was negative. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic Mesenchymal hamartomas are the second most common benign resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well-defined and septated left tumor of the liver in the pediatric age group, and represents about 6% liver lobe mass. The mass has low density on CT, low T1 and high T2 of all primary hepatic tumors [1].
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Study of Oral Hamartoma and Choristoma
    Journal of Interdisciplinary Histopathology www.scopmed.org Original Research DOI: 10.5455/jihp.20151020122441 A comparative study of oral hamartoma and choristoma Ilana Kaplan1a, Irit Allon1a, Benjamin Shlomi2, Vadim Raiser2, Dror M. Allon3 1Department of Oral Pathology and Oral ABSTRACT Medicine, School of Dental Aim: To compare the clinical and microscopic characteristics of hamartoma and choristoma of the oral mucosa Medicine, Tel-Aviv, Israel, and jaws and discuss the challenges in diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Analysis of patients diagnosed 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, between 2000 and 2012, and literature review of the same years. A sub-classification into “single tissue” Sourasky Medical Center, or “mixed-tissue” types was applied for all the diagnoses according to the histopathological description. Tel-Aviv, Israel, 3Department Results: A total of 61 new cases of hamartoma or choristoma were retrieved, the majority were hamartoma. of Oral and Maxillofacial The literature analysis yielded 155 cases, of which 44.5% were choristoma. The majority of hamartoma were Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tiqva, Israel mixed. Among these, neurovascular hamartoma was the most prevalent type (36.7%). Of the choristoma, aThe two authors contributed 59.4% were single tissue, with respiratory, gastric and cartilaginous being the most prevalent single tissue equally to this work types. The tongue was the most frequent location of both groups. Conclusion: Differentiating choristoma from Address of correspondence: hamartoma
    [Show full text]
  • Mucosal Schwann Cell Hamartoma of the Colon in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis
    G&H C l i n i C a l C a s e s t u d i e s Mucosal Schwann Cell Hamartoma of the Colon in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis Brittny Neis, BA1 Phil Hart, MD1 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Vishal Chandran, MBBS2 2Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Sunanda Kane, MD, MSPH1 Case Report A man age 59 years with ulcerative colitis–associated primary sclerosing cholangitis presented to the clinic for his annual colonoscopy with surveillance biopsies. The patient was receiving oral mesalamine, and the pri- mary sclerosing cholangitis was in clinical remission at that time. The patient did not have a history of colonic dysplasia, but adenomatous colonic polyps were diag- nosed the previous year. There was no personal or family history of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), Cowden syndrome, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b (MEN 2b). At the time of colonoscopy, the ileal and colonic mucosa appeared to be normal. A 3-mm sigmoid Figure 1. Histologic features of a mucosal Schwann cell polyp was removed by a cold biopsy, and additional hamartoma. A low-power view of hematoxylin and eosin– biopsies were obtained from the surrounding mucosa. stained colonic mucosa demonstrated bland spindle cell Histologically, hemotoxylin and eosin stains proliferation with elongated nuclei and dense eosinophilic showed a polypoid fragment of colonic mucosa that cytoplasm, which is consistent with Schwann cell proliferation. had a bland spindle cell proliferation with elongated nuclei, abundant dense eosinophilic cytoplasm, and inconspicuous cell borders within the lamina propria (Figure 1). No nuclear pleomorphism or mitotic activ- ity was present.
    [Show full text]
  • Pathology Perspective of Colonic Polyposis Syndromes When Are Too Many Polyps Too Many?
    Pathology perspective of colonic polyposis syndromes When are too many polyps too many? David Schaeffer Head and Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC Pathology Lead, Colon Screening Program Polyposis syndromes in the CSP? Overdiagnosis in Colorectal Cancer Screening? Pathologists’ view of lower GI polyposis Polyposis syndromes with predominately adenomas • Familial adenomatous polyposis • Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis • MUTYH-associated polyposis • Polymerase proofreading associated polyposis syndrome • Lynch syndrome (rarely) Polyposis syndromes with both adenomas and serrated polyps • Serrated polyposis syndrome • MUTYH-associated polyposis • Hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome • PTEN-hamartoma tumor syndrome Polyposis with predominately hamartomatous polyps • Juvenile polyposis • Peutz-Jeghers Polyposis • PTEN-hamartoma tumor syndrome • Hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome • Cronkhite-Canada syndrome Spectrum of polyps in MAP Guarinos C, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2014 Mar 1;20(5):1158-68. SSP from patient with MAP Prevalence and Phenotypes of APC and MUTYH mutations in patients with multiple colorectal adenomata Classic polyposis (≥100 adenomas, 1457 pts) • 58% had an APC germline mutation • 6.5% had biallelic MUTYH gerlmine mutations Attenuated polyposis (20-99 adenomas, 3253 pts) • 10% had an APC germline mutation • 7% had biallelic MUTYH germline mutations 10 to 19 adenomas (970 patients)
    [Show full text]
  • Combined Hamartoma of the Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium with Poor Visual Acuity
    RETINAL ONCOLOGY CASE REPORTS IN OCULAR ONCOLOGY SECTION EDITOR: CAROL L. SHIELDS, MD Combined Hamartoma of the Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium with Poor Visual Acuity BY NICOLE C. BEHARRY, MD; KIRAN TURAKA, MD; AND CAROL L. SHIELDS, MD ombined hamartoma of the retina and retinal Fundus examination OS was unremarkable. The fundus OD pigment epithelium (RPE) is an uncommon showed an ill-defined pigmented retinal lesion in the papil- benign tumor that can resemble choroidal lomacular region estimated at 12 x 10 mm in basal dimen- C melanoma or retinoblastoma. This tumor can sions. The overlying retinal vessels displayed slight traction present as an isolated finding or manifest as part of the (Figure 1A and B). Ultrasonography demonstrated a solid disease spectrum of neurofibromatosis (NF) type 2.1 plateau-shaped retinal lesion measuring 2.7 mm in thick- Visual impairment can result from parafoveal tumors.2 ness with a dense epiretinal membrane (Figure 1C). Optical We hereby report a case of combined hamartoma of the coherence tomography (OCT) showed prominent, folded retina and RPE with profound poor visual acuity. and disorganized retinal thickening measuring 413 µm with an overlying epiretinal membrane (Figure 1D). CASE REPORT The patient was diagnosed with combined hamartoma of A 5-year-old white male, noted by the school nurse to the retina and RPE of the right eye. The amblyopia was have poor visual acuity in the right eye, was referred for treated with patching. At 1-year follow-up examination, the evaluation. The patient’s mother noticed right esotropia visual acuity was 20/400 OD.
    [Show full text]
  • Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Part 1. Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Neurophysiological Characteristics
    See the companion article in this issue (E7). Neurosurg Focus 34 (6):E6, 2013 ©AANS, 2013 Hypothalamic hamartomas. Part 1. Clinical, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological characteristics SANDEEP MITTAL, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.,1 MONIKA MITTAL, M.D.,1 JOSÉ LUIS MONTES, M.D.,2 JEAN-PIErrE FArmER, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.,2 AND FREDERICK ANDErmANN, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.3 1Department of Neurosurgery, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Montreal Children’s Hospital; and 3Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Hypothalamic hamartomas are uncommon but well-recognized developmental malformations that are classi- cally associated with gelastic seizures and other refractory seizure types. The clinical course is often progressive and, in addition to the catastrophic epileptic syndrome, patients commonly exhibit debilitating cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances. Over the past decade, investigators have gained considerable knowledge into the pathobio- logical and neurophysiological properties of these rare lesions. In this review, the authors examine the causes and molecular biology of hypothalamic hamartomas as well as the principal clinical features, neuroimaging findings, and electrophysiological characteristics. The diverse surgical modalities and strategies used to manage these difficult le- sions are outlined in the second article of this 2-part review. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2013.3.FOCUS1355)
    [Show full text]