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Ependymoma
Case Detail
| Anatomy: Brain-Spine |
 Joseph Junewick, MD FACR |
| Diagnostic Category: Neoplasia Malignant |
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| Created: over 8 years ago |
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| Updated: over 8 years ago |
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| Tags:
PEDS
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| Modality/Study Types:
MR
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Activities:  PDF  ImageJA |
History
13 month old female with vomiting.
Case Images
Diagnosis
Ependymoma
Findings
MR – Axial T2 and T2-FLAIR and coronal and sagittal postgadolinium T1 images demonstrate a heterogeneous 4th ventricular mass extending through the left foramen of Luschka and foramen magnum into the cervical canal.
Discussion
Ependymomas develop from differentiated ependymal cells that line the ventricular system (more than half arise from the 4th ventricle). Ependymomas can occur at any age but approximately one-third arise in children less than 3 years of age.
Since these tumor are largely of ventricular origin, symptoms are usually related to cerebrospinal fluid obstruction and intracranial hypertension. Posterior fossa symptoms (ataxia and paresis) and supratentorial symptoms (seizure and focal deficits) may also be evident depending upon site of origin.
Ependymomas are circumscribed masses which extend along the CSF pathways. Relatively heterogeneous imaging characteristics reflect calcification, hemorrhage and cystic changes which are often present.
Reference
Koeller KK and Sandberg GD. Cerebral intraventricular neoplasms: Radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics (2002); 22(6):1473-1505.