Study of Brain Tumors (Tectal Tumors) Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

September 20, 2012 updated by: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Analysis of Pediatric Tectal Tumors: Insight Into Pathology and Behavior

Tectal plate gliomas are relatively rare tumors of childhood with a reported incidence of 10%. Their typical clinical presentation is symptoms and signs of hydrocephalus and are often incidentally diagnosed in the imaging work-up of children with hydrocephalus. Tectal tumors in children comprise a subcategory of brainstem tumors with unique clinical, imaging, and spectroscopic features. There is debate whether they truly represent brainstem tumors or whether they are a site of benign cellular overgrowth. The majority of these tumors are pathologically benign and show no or minimal growth. Not all tectal plate tumors, however, have this typically benign course. Some can manifest a more aggressive behavior. There have been reports in the past attempting to analyze the histology and behavior of these tumors. None of the prior series looking at these tumors have included Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) analysis.

It is interesting that according to where tumors occur in the brainstem usually indicates what their histology and behavior is. Although not absolute, we know that tumors can have a very poor prognosis versus an extremely good prognosis depending on their location in the brainstem. Yet there are always the cases that do not act in the typical fashion and this is where MRS can prove helpful.

This study is being done to look at a region of the brain, called the tectal plate, in children. This part of the brain can be involved by tumors. Because of the location of the tectal plate, it is usually very difficult and risky to get a biopsy (tissue sample) from this area. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that can look at the chemical make up of the brain. MRS may allow us to better understand the nature and behavior of these tumors. However, in order to understand disease in this area, we need to look at the normal chemical make up of the brain in children without tectal plate tumors. Healthy patients are being asked to participate as a normal volunteer. We anticipate having a total of 10 to 12 normal volunteers in the MRS study.

Study Overview

Status

Withdrawn

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Georgia
      • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30342
        • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 16 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteer children.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • patients who are already scheduled for a brain MRI at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite for reasons other than tectal plate glioma evaluation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • patients with tectal plate glioma

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Retrospective

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Susan Palasis, M.D., Children's Diagnostic Imaging of Atlanta

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2005

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2007

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 12, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 28, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 30, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 24, 2012

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 20, 2012

Last Verified

September 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Tectal Tumors MRS

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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