Gliosarcomas: magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Central nervous system (CNS) gliosarcoma (GSM) is a rare primary neoplasm.
• GSM is characterized by the presence of both glial and sarcomatous components.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe clinical and neuroimaging aspects of three GSM cases.
• Correlate imaging findings with pathological results.
• Review relevant literature on GSM.

Main Methods:

• Three patients with primary GSM underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Biopsies confirmed GSM diagnosis.
• Analysis included conventional MRI sequences and advanced techniques like proton 1H MR spectroscopy and perfusion imaging.

Main Results:

• MRI revealed irregular, necrotic lesions with peritumoral edema.
• Isointensity of the solid component on T2-weighted images was observed.
• Findings included irregular contrast enhancement, lipid/lactate peaks, increased choline/creatine, elevated rCBV, multifocality, and drop metastasis in one case.

Conclusions:

• The study discusses findings in relation to known characteristics of GSM.
• Neuroimaging features can aid in the diagnosis of CNS gliosarcoma.