Adli Tıp Kurumu Morg İhtisas Dairesi, Esekapı/İstanbul

Purpose: Gangliogliomas are unusual tumors of CNS comprised of variable proportions of ganglion cells and glial cells. Both cellular groups show cytologic features of neoplasia. Gangliogliomas represent less than %2 of intracranial neoplasms. These tumors are more common in children and they are often found in the temporal lobe. The purpose of our study, is to evaluate autopsy findings, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of a sudden death due to localization of this tumor. Case report: A well circumscribed tumor with brainstem localization found in the autopsy of a 4 year old boy, followed up for slep apnea, hospitalized with disphagia and aspiration pneumonia, and died suddenly after seven days during EEG is discussed concerning the macroscopic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features. Microscopic examination revealed a tumor characterised by mixed astrocytic and neuronal cellular proliferation. Neuronal component of the tumor showed positive reaction with synaphtophysin, and astrocytic component showed cytoplasmic reaction with GFAP. Ki-67 index is determined as 2.1% in astrocytic component. According to these findings, the case is considered as Grade II Ganglioglioma of brainstem. Conclusion: Gangliomas are low grade tumors and display a long clinical history. However, they occur as sudden deaths rarely in autopsies.