Combined fontanelle puncture and surgical operation in treatment of desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma: case report and a review of the literature.

Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma is a rare low-grade malignant brain tumor found in infants. Its pathological diagnosis can be made on the basis of its histological characteristics and immunohistochemical staining. A case of desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma, including its clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, is reported. Presurgical percutaneous decompression and subsequent resection resulted in a satisfactory therapeutic outcome.