J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Jul;33(1):15-20.

MRImaging of Solid Cerebellar Tumors in Adult

• Byun HS
• Han MH
• Kim KJ
• Chang KH
• Choo SW
• Yu IK
• Choi KH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The solid variety of cerebella r tumors in adult is relatively uncommon. This study is to describe the characteristic MR findings of various solid cerebellar tumors in adult.
METHODS
Twenty three cerebellar solid tumors from 22 consecutive patients over age of 15 with surgical confirmations were retrospectively evaluated with MR imaging. H istologic diagnosis included hemangioblastoma (n=6), metastasis (n=6), high-grade astrocytoma (n=3), and medulloblastoma (n=8). The MR findings were reviewed with attention to the size, the signal intensity of the tumors, pattern of enhancement, tumoral margin, degree of peritumoral edema, signal void vascular structures within and/or around the tumor, and location in relation to attachment to the pial surface of the tumor.
RESULTS
Solid hemangioblastomas consistently showed slightly low or iso signal intensity on T1 -weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images, dense homogeneous enhancement, and signal void vessels within and/or around the mass. Metastatic tumors showed various find ings with predominantly low or iso signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Medulloblastomas was midline and/or paramidline in location, and had larger mass formation. High-grade astrocytomas revealed nonspecific MR findings with no signal void vessels.
CONCLUSION
Hemangioblastoma, metastasis, malignant astrocytoma, and medulloblastoma should be included in differential diagnosis of solid cerebellar tumors in adult. Dense homogeneous enhancement and signal void vessels are characteristic of hemangioblastoma. The signal intensity of the tumor, and presence of signal void vessels, location and enhancement pattern can be some value in differential diagnosis of solid cerebellar tumors in adult.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Astrocytoma
Cerebellar Neoplasms*
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Edema
Hemangioblastoma
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medulloblastoma
Neoplasm Metastasis
Retrospective Studies