Learning objectives
To learn common locations and imaging findings of tumors cyst of the brain with a mural nodule (CBMN).
Background
CBMN is one of the radiologic patterns of central nervous system tumors.
In a classification of the patterns of contrast enhancement in the brain and meninges,
this one is considered a subtype of intra-axial enhancement lesions included in the category of fluid-secreting low-grade primary neoplasm.
The most common are: hemangioblastoma,
pilocytic astrocytoma,
ganglioglioma,
pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and,
as less common,
tanycytic ependymoma,
intraparenchymal schwannoma,
desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma and cystic metastasis.
Other rare causes should be considered (infections or vascular anomalies).
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Formerly known as juvenile...
Findings and procedure details
Radiology Features
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Most common in the cerebellar hemispheres.
Other typical location is optic nerve/chiasm/tract.
In T1-weighted sequences,
the solid portion of the CMNT is iso/hypointense to gray matter while thecyst content is iso- to slightly hyperintense to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
In T2 and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences,
the solid portion is hyperintense to gray matter while thecyst content is hyperintense to CSF.
In FLAIR sequences,
the cyst content is not suppressed.
The cyst wall occasionally enhances,
but cyst wall enhancement does...
Conclusion
CBMN is an important radiological pattern of brain lesions.
So that,
radiologic characteristics of the lesions can help to the differential diagnosis,
that can be related,
more frecuently,
to primary or secondary brain tumors.
References
A systematic approach to diagnosis of cystic brain lesions.Vibhor Sharma,
Kumar Prabhash,
Vanita Noronha,
Nidhi Tandon,
Amit Joshi.South Asian Journal of Cancer ♦ April-June 2013 ♦ Volume 2 ♦ Issue 2.
Cystic meningioma: unusual imaging appearance of a common intracranial tumor.Amit Mittal,
MD,
Kennith F.
Layton,
MD,
S.
Sam Finn,
MD,
George J.
Snipes,
MD,
and Michael J.
Opatowsky,
MD.Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2010;23(4):429–431.
Norden AD,
Wen PY,
Kesari S.
Brain metastases.
Curr Opin Neurol 2005;18:654‑661.
Garg RK,
Sinha MK.
Multiple ring‑enhancing lesions of...