How is a thalamic/hypothalamic low-grade astrocytoma diagnosed?
Diagnostic procedures for a thalamic/hypothalamic low-grade glioma may include: physical examination – the child may demonstrate evidence of increased pressure in the brain computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan) – a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays. For a thalamic/hypothalamic low-grade glioma, a CT scan of the brain is usually done. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. For thalamic/hypothalamic low-grade gliomas, an MRI of the brain is usually done. An MRI of the spine may also be obtained to look for evidence of tumor in the spine (thalamic and hypothalamic low-grade gliomas very rarely spread to the
