Ependymoma MRI
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Ependymoma Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Ependymoma MRI On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Ependymoma MRI |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis of ependymoma. On MRI brain, ependymoma is characterized by isointense to hypointense on T1-weighted scans, or hyperintense to white matter on T2-weighted MRI.
MRI
Brain
- T1
- Solid portions of ependymoma typically are isointense to hypointense relative to white matter 7
- T2
- Hyperintense to white matter
- More reliable in differentiating tumour margins than non-contrast T1-weighted images (but less reliable than contrast enhanced T1)
- T2* (e.g. SWI)
- Foci of blooming from haemorrhage or calcification
- T1 C+ (Gd)
- Enhancement present but heterogeneous
- Enhancement with gadolinium is useful in differentiating tumour from adjacent vasogenic oedema and normal brain parenchyma
- DWI/ADC
- Restricted diffusion may be seen in solid components especially in anaplastic tumour
- Diffusion should be interpreted with caution in masses with significant haemorrhage or calcification
- MRS
- Choline peak elevation according to the cellularity of tumor
- N-Acetylaspartate peak reduction
- Elevated choline/creatinine ratio
- Lipid and lactate rise when degeneration occurs
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T1
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T2
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FLAIR
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T1
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T1+C
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