A rare case of infantile cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma and thrombocytopenia presenting with intratumoral hemorrhage

Incidence of gliomas presenting with hemorrhage is around 3.7–7.2%. Low-grade gliomas account for <1% tumor with hemorrhage. Infants presenting with cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) and hemorrhage with thrombocytopenia have not been reported. We report an interesting case of a 9-month-old infant who presented to the emergency department in a drowsy state with recurrent vomiting. Laboratory investigations showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy. Radiological evaluation showed a large PA with bleed. The patient was treated with retromastoid suboccipital craniotomy and tumor excision and improved postoperatively. Cerebellar PA with bleed and coagulopathy in infants has not been reported in literature till date. Their presentation seems to be acute in nature, and high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of these posterior fossa tumors, which can deteriorate rapidly in infants.