L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria and brain malignant tumors - A predisposing condition?

L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria is a rare metabolic encephalopathy displaying a subcortical leukoencephalopathy on MRI. Diagnosis rests on detection of an abnormal accumulation of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in body fluids. The authors report on four patients who developed a malignant brain tumor during the course of the disease. This association points to a possible role of L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria in predisposing to brain tumorigenesis.