MR Imaging Features of Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma in the Suprasellar Region: A Study on 11 Patients

This study aimed to characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of juvenile suprasellar pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) in a sample of 11 children and help neuroradiologists preoperatively differentiate PAs from other suprasellar tumors.

Eleven consecutive children with pathologically confirmed suprasellar PAs in our hospital from May 2015 to November 2021 were enrolled in this study. The clinical data and preoperative MR images were retrospectively reviewed. MRI included T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and postcontrast T1WI. Six patients underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The location, signal features, enhancement pattern, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions on MRI were evaluated. The clinical status of the patients 3 years after surgery was noted.

The 11 suprasellar PAs were mainly located around the optic chiasma and hypothalamus and invaded adjacent structures. The lesions showed hyperintensity or slight hyperintensity on T2WI and hypointensity on T1WI. Among the 11 patients, 5 had solid tumors with homogeneous enhancement, one had a solid tumor with heterogeneous enhancement, and five had cystic and solid tumors with heterogeneous enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination foci were observed in 4 patients. The solid components of the lesions were hypointense or isointense on DWI, with high ADC values at a mean of 1.77±0.36 ×10-3 mm2/s. Gross total resection was achieved in only one patient (9.1%), and 10 (90.9%) were subtotally resected. Five patients died during the follow-up period, and the 3-year survival rate was 54.5%.

Juvenile suprasellar PAs are characterized by a solid and intermixed cystic and solid appearance, hyperintensity on T2W images, obvious enhancement of the solid component, and relatively high ADC values.