Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a benign tumor in the cerebrum of youth whos pathological findings show plemorphism resembling glioblastoma (GB). We present a case of cerebral PXA in a 16-year-old woman demonstrating the usefulness of rapid intraoperative cytology. Cytologically. tumor cells revealed marked pleomorphism with cytoplasmic processes. Vacuolated cells also intermingled among tumor cells. Mitotic figures. necrotic debris, endothelial swelling, and glomeruloid appearance seen in GB were absent. The cytological approach used in addition to histology using frozen section was useful for rapid intraoperative diagnosis, including diagnosis differentiating PXA and GB.
