Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Translational Orthotopic Models of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Published on: February 17, 2023
Manifestations of pilocytic astrocytoma: a pictorial review
Danai Chourmouzi1, Elissabet Papadopoulou, Manolis Konstantinidis
1Department of Radiology, Interbalcan Medical Centre, Thessaloniki, Greece, dchourm@hol.gr.
Background:
Pilocytic astrocytoma can be challenging to diagnose.
Methods:
Its clinical presentations can differ, directly related to its size and location, and are relatively unreliable. Similarly, imaging findings also vary with the location of the pilocytic astrocytoma.
Results:
This review provides an overview of the different imaging findings regarding pilocytic astrocytomas using both conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences according to tumour location; the findings are strongly related to the tumour's tendency to infiltrate surrounding structures, being able to carry out gross total resection, and finally the prognosis.
Conclusions:
Knowledge of these imaging manifestations of pilocytic astrocytoma may be helpful to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Teaching Points:
• To recognise the various imaging findings of pilocytic astrocytoma on both conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences. • To identify the characteristic imaging findings according to tumour location. • To discuss the relevant differential diagnoses of pilocytic astrocytoma in each tumour location.
