Published
Thanks , Gwenith. However, i did look there before asking this question. It gave me generalizations and nothing more. Thank you again for the suggestion. I have also looked on http://www.plwc.org and nothing there either. This is getting very frustrating.
Google search to the rescue! this was a new diagnosis for me
Correct term: hamartoma of tuber cinereum
non-neoplastic congenital heterotopias of grey matter located in the region of the tuber cinereum of the hypothalamus or maxillary bodies. Macroscopically they are nodules of variable size, from a few mm in diameter to 1-2 cm in diameter, sessile or pedunculated, attached to the outer surface of the tuber cinereum and lying in the interpeduncular cistern between the infundibular stalk anteriorly and the mamillary body posteriorly. Histologically they are characterized by an abnormal heterotopic collection of large and small neurons, astrocytes and oligodendroglial cells, without any potential for malignancy.
Clinically they may either be asymptomatic, or produce precocious puberty and/or a specific type of seizure called gelastic ("laughing attacks"), of the partial complex type, associated sometimes with psychiatric disturbances and cognitive impairment. On CT, hypothalamic hamartomas appear as rounded, well defined masses, isodense with brain tissue, lying in the suprasellar cistern. No enhancement is usually seen after contrast injection.
Surgical Treatment is possible if seizures experienced---see the articles in the links below.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=hamartoma+of+tuber+cinereum&spell=1
Thank you , NRSKarenRN. I saw that too, and still had questions. Such as, is it fatal in adults,and when is it too late to be taken care of? One Doc said that after puberty is too late, then another one said he wasnt sure. This is a scary thing since my b/f's ex was diagnosed with this in her 30's (just yesterday as a matter of fact) and her son is 12 and going through puberty.
I soooooo appreciate all responses.
kaceyjane2001
7 Posts
Could anyone please help me in finding out more about Harmartoma of tubar cinereum? My My boyfriend's ex-girlfriend was newly diagnosed and is afraid their 12 year old son may have it. She said that after puberty, if the child has it, it cannot be taken care of. Is this life-threatening? What can we do? Where can I find out more about this?