Related Experiment Videos
Supratentorial ependymomas and subependymomas: CT and MR appearance
1Department of Radiology, Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, USA.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Supratentorial ependymomas are large, cystic, and often calcified tumors in children, while subependymomas are smaller, solid masses typically found in adults. Imaging features on CT and MRI help differentiate these brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Supratentorial ependymomas and subependymomas are rare primary brain tumors.
- Accurate characterization of their imaging features is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of supratentorial ependymomas and subependymomas.
- To identify imaging characteristics that differentiate these two tumor types.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of CT or MRI examinations of 11 supratentorial ependymomas and 3 supratentorial subependymomas.
- Evaluation of tumor size, location, calcification, cystic components, signal intensity, and contrast enhancement patterns.
Main Results:
- Ependymomas were typically large (4 cm), periventricular or intraventricular, cystic, and often calcified, with characteristic MRI findings including prolonged T1 and T2 relaxation and variable enhancement.
- Subependymomas were smaller (2.6 cm), solid, intraventricular masses, generally isointense to hypointense on T1-weighted and heterogeneous/hyperintense on T2-weighted MR images, with variable enhancement.
- Postsurgical recurrence was observed in two ependymomas and one subependymoma within one year.
Conclusions:
- Supratentorial ependymomas are generally large, cystic, calcified, and extraventricular masses in children and young adults.
- Supratentorial subependymomas are typically solid, intraventricular masses, smaller than ependymomas, and occur in an older patient population.