What is subependymal giant cell astrocytoma?
What is subependymal giant cell astrocytoma?
Listen to pronunciation. (SUB-eh-PEN-dih-mul JY-unt sel AS-troh-sy-TOH-muh) A benign (not cancer), slow-growing tumor that usually forms in the walls of fluid-filled spaces in the brain. The tumors are made up of large, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.
What does non mass enhancement mean on MRI?
Non-mass enhancement (NME) is defined as an enhancing abnormality that is not associated with the three-dimension volume of a mass, shape and outlining, and they are separate from the Background Parenchymal Enhancement (BPE).
How do you get tuberous?
Tuberous sclerosis is caused by changes (mutations) in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. These genes are involved in regulating cell growth, and the mutations lead to uncontrolled growth and multiple tumours throughout the body.
What is TSC?
Tuberous sclerosis (also called tuberous sclerosis complex, or TSC) is a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes non-cancerous (benign) tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin.
Can a MRI be used to diagnose subependymal heterotopia?
Although faintly visible on CT, are rarely on ultrasound (only if very large), MRI is the modality of choice in assessing patients with subependymal heterotopia.
Is the MRI more sensitive to intraventricular debris?
There often an intense restricted diffusion of these intraventricular debris, as seen in the center of a brain abscess. MRI is also more sensitive to the often subtle periventricular abnormal signal (high T2) and thin contrast enhancement. Additionally, the periventricular region may demonstrate restricted diffusion on DWI and ADC.
What is the differential between SGCA and subependymal nodule?
Differential diagnosis. In the clinical context of known tuberous sclerosis, the appearance is virtually pathognomonic, and the main differential is between a subependymal nodule and SGCA. Serial imaging is most helpful here, as growth implies SGCA.
What does an ependymoma look like on a MRI?
On MRI, ependymomas are typically isointense compared with the gray matter in T1WI and hyperintense in T2WI. A heterogeneous appearance is typical, reflecting the calcification, hemorrhagic, and cystic changes that are often present.
Although faintly visible on CT, are rarely on ultrasound (only if very large), MRI is the modality of choice in assessing patients with subependymal heterotopia.
How big is a subependymal hamartoma on MRI?
On imaging, they appear as small intraventricular masses, smaller than 1 cm, and demonstrate variable signal on MRI with contrast enhancement, and may calcify. Subependymal hamartomas are a well-known manifestation of tuberous sclerosis, affecting 80% of patients with the condition 1 . They are visible within the first six months of age 2.
There often an intense restricted diffusion of these intraventricular debris, as seen in the center of a brain abscess. MRI is also more sensitive to the often subtle periventricular abnormal signal (high T2) and thin contrast enhancement. Additionally, the periventricular region may demonstrate restricted diffusion on DWI and ADC.
Differential diagnosis. In the clinical context of known tuberous sclerosis, the appearance is virtually pathognomonic, and the main differential is between a subependymal nodule and SGCA. Serial imaging is most helpful here, as growth implies SGCA.