REVIEW  CURRENT TREATMENTS FOR EPENDYMOMA Free access

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2018 February;62(1):38-45

DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.17.04151-0

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Radiologic characteristics of ependymomas: a case-based approach

David KHATAMI ¹ ✉, Ekkehard M. KASPER ², Rafeeque BHADELIA ¹, Rafael ROJAS ¹

¹ Section of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; ² Division of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

The purpose of this paper was to introduce and review the characteristic imaging features of ependymal neoplasms through a comprehensive case-based approach. Illustrated cases highlight both common and uncommon manifestations of central nervous system-ependymomas. The combination of imaging features, location of the tumor, and patient’s demographics often allow the suggestion of ependymoma as a lead entity in the differential diagnosis. However, significant overlap exists between the radiologic characteristics of ependymomas and those of other tumors commonly encountered in the same locations, which can pose a challenge for a definitive diagnosis based on imaging alone.

KEY WORDS: Ependymoma - Magnetic resonance imaging - Diagnostic imaging