loading page

The Trends in Diagnosis, Management and Care of Patients with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas: Perspectives from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Pakistan
  • +3
  • Salaar Ahmed,
  • Muhammad Abdullah,
  • Muhammad Ali Akbar Khan,
  • Shahzadi Resham,
  • Bilal Mazhar Qureshi,
  • Naureen Mushtaq
Salaar Ahmed
The Aga Khan University Medical College Pakistan
Author Profile
Muhammad Abdullah
The Aga Khan University Medical College Pakistan
Author Profile
Muhammad Ali Akbar Khan
The Aga Khan University Medical College Pakistan
Author Profile
Shahzadi Resham
The Aga Khan University Hospital
Author Profile
Bilal Mazhar Qureshi
The Aga Khan University Hospital
Author Profile
Naureen Mushtaq
The Aga Khan University Hospital

Corresponding Author:naureen.mushtaq@aku.edu

Author Profile

Abstract

Background: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) primarily affects pediatric patients. Data on the global incidence of DIPG remain sparse, especially in South Asia and low-middle-income countries like Pakistan. Methods: After exemption from the Ethics Review Committee, a retrospective study was conducted. Records of patients with DIPG at the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, from January 2010 to December 2022, were reviewed. Results: A total of 35 pediatric patients were diagnosed/treated for DIPG. The median age of the patients was 9, with 19 (54.3%) males and 16 (45.7%) females. Cranial nerve palsies were the most common complaint in 19 (54.3%) patients, followed by headaches in 18 (51.4%), long tract signs in 14 (40%), ataxia/cerebellar symptoms in 14 (40%), and seizures in 5 (14.3%). MRI was the primary diagnostic tool, used alone or with CT in 32 (94.1%) patients; CT alone was used in 2 (5.7%). Biopsy was performed in 10 (28.6%) patients. Primary radiation therapy was administered to 14 (40%) patients with 5400 cGy in 30 fractions. All these patients received steroids. No patients received reirradiation. VP shunt surgery for hydrocephalus was performed in 9 (25.7%) patients. Over half (54.3%) refused treatment post-diagnosis, and 71.4% were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Providing timely, quality multi-disciplinary care to DIPG patients within resource constraints remains challenging in Pakistan. However, recent developments show promise for improving DIPG care in the country.