Category Neurological Imaging

Central Neurocytoma

KEY FACTS Terminology Central neurocytoma (CN) = intraventricular neuroepithelial tumor with neuronal differentiation Imaging Best diagnostic clue: “Bubbly” mass in frontal horn or body of lateral ventricle May involve 3rd ventricle CT: Usually mixed solid and cystic mass with calcification…

Ganglioglioma

KEY FACTS Terminology Well-differentiated, slowly growing neuroepithelial tumor composed of neoplastic ganglion cells and neoplastic glial cells Most common neoplastic cause of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) Imaging Best diagnostic clue: Partially cystic, enhancing, cortically based mass in child/young adult with…

Subependymoma

KEY FACTS Terminology Rare, benign, well-differentiated, intraventricular ependymal tumor, typically attached to ventricular wall Imaging Intraventricular, inferior 4th ventricle typical (60%) Other locations: Lateral > 3rd ventricle > spinal cord T2/FLAIR hyperintense intraventricular mass Heterogeneity related to cystic changes; blood…

Infratentorial Ependymoma

KEY FACTS Terminology Posterior fossa ependymoma (PF-EPN) Imaging Ependymoma can occur anywhere in neuraxis Most common site: Posterior fossa (2/3 of cases) Lobulated mass in body/inferior 4th ventricle – Soft or “plastic” tumor □ Accommodates to shape of ventricle □…

Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma

KEY FACTS Terminology Oligodendroglioma with focal or diffuse histologic features of malignancy Imaging Best diagnostic clue: Calcified frontal lobe mass involving cortex and subcortical white matter Frontal lobe is most common location, followed by temporal lobe Majority have nodular or…

Oligodendroglioma

KEY FACTS Terminology Well-differentiated, slowly growing but diffusely infiltrating cortical/subcortical tumor Imaging Most common site is frontal lobe (50-65%) Best diagnostic clue: Partially calcified subcortical/cortical frontal mass in middle-aged adult Typically T2 heterogeneous, hyperintense mass ~ 50% enhance Heterogeneous enhancement…

Gliomatosis Cerebri

KEY FACTS Terminology Diffusely infiltrating, frequently bilateral glial tumor involving at least 3 lobes Infiltrative extent of tumor is out of proportion to histologic and clinical features Imaging T2 hyperintense infiltrating mass with enlargement of involved structures Typical cerebral hemispheres…

Glioblastoma

KEY FACTS Terminology Rapidly enlarging malignant astrocytic tumor characterized by necrosis and neovascularity Most common of all primary intracranial neoplasms Imaging Best imaging clue: Thick, irregularly enhancing rind of neoplastic tissue surrounding necrotic core Heterogeneous, hyperintense mass with adjacent tumor…