MR findings of brain pilocytic astrocytoma in adults

Abstract

Objective To analyze and summarize MRI findings of brain pilocytic astrocytoma in adults. Methods Thirty-two cases (13 males and 19 females) of brain pilocytic astrocytoma in adults confirmed by surgery and pathology were reviewed and studied including MRI manifestation and pathologic data. The ages of the patients ranged from 20 to 68 years old, with a median age of 30 years. Results MRI showed 33 lesions in total with location in cerebellum (n=13), supratentorial parenchyma (n=12), lateral ventricles (n=5), forth ventricle (n=2), and sellar region (n=1). The MRI manifestations showed 5 types: mixed- signal mass in 11 lesions, especially mixed signals on T2WI and enhancement images ; enhanced cystic wall with enhanced mural nodule in 8 lesions on enhancement imaging; non-enhanced cystic wall with enhanced mural nodule in 7 lesions; cystic mass in 5 lesions with high signals on T2WI and enhanced or partially enhanced cystic wall; solid masses in 2 lesions with heterogeneous signal on enhanced imaging. Mild or no edema was identified in 29 tumorsand 4 tumors revealed obvious edema. Hemorrhage was found in 12 tumors and calcification was demonstrated in 4 tumors.. Conclusion Brain pilocytic astrocytoma in adults has characteristic imaging findings on MRI. Key words: Astrocytoma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Adult