Abstract: Objective Ganglioglioma(GG) is a less common primary neoplastic disease of the central nervous system that is typically located supratentorially. The Objective of this study was to discuss clinical characteristics, microsurgical treatment and prognosis of gangliogliomas(GG) arising from the thalamus. Methods The hospital data of 6 patients who had undergone microsurgery and were pathologically diagnosed as thalamic GGs were reviewed. Results The main clinical presentations were intracranial hypertension, hemiparesis and impairment of sensation on the contralateral side of the lesion. The mean age at presentation was 12.5 years. The operations consisted of total resection in two, subtotal resection in 3, and partial resection in 1. There were increased hemiparesis and impairment of sensation for three cases. All patients were followed up for a mean of 29 months, of which 2 lived a normal life, three lived independently, one patient with anaplastic GG died of tumor recurrence. Conclusion Because of lacking typical clinical manifestations and neuroimaging characteristics, preoperative diagnosis of thalamic GGs is difficult. Its precise diagnosis mainly depends on histopathology. Surgical resection is the principal treatment, the prognosis of anaplastic GGs is poor, long term and close follow-up is necessary.

Key words: thalamus, ganglioglioma, microsurgery, prognosis