Posterior Fossa Cystic Neoplasms

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Posterior Fossa Cystic Neoplasms


The “cyst with a mural nodule” morphology is suggestive of a less-aggressive etiology such as a pilocytic astrocytoma, ganglioglioma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), or hemangioblastoma. Metastases can be cystic; however, other neoplasms such as medulloblastoma are rarely predominantly cystic. Infectious etiologies such as cysticercosis can also cause cysts in the cerebellum. Ganglioglioma and PXA are more common in the supratentorial brain. However, within the posterior fossa, the configuration of a cyst and mural nodule narrows the differential consideration mainly to juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) or hemangioblastoma (Table 6.1). (See Chapters 1 and 5 as supplements to this chapter.)


























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Jan 10, 2016 | Posted by in MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING | Comments Off on Posterior Fossa Cystic Neoplasms

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Table 6.1 Differentiating Features between Cerebellar Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma and Hemangioblastoma

Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma Hemangioblastoma
CT Hypoattenuating cystic component with hypoattenuating to isoattenuating mural nodule with avid contrast enhancement Hypoattenuating cyst and isodense nodule with avid contrast enhancement
T1WI Well-demarcated lesion
Solid component: Isointense to hypointense relative to normal brain
Cystic component follows fluid signal intensity.
Well-demarcated lesion
Nodule peripherally located near pial surface and isointense to gray matter on T1WI
Cyst: Isointense or slightly hyperintense on T1WI compared with CSF
T2WI Nodule: Hyperintense to normal brain with minimal surrounding T2WI signal
Cyst: Follows fluid signal
Nodule: Hyperintense
Cyst: High signal intensity
Vascularity/ Enhancement