Postoperative evaluation for intracranial recurrence of medulloblastoma: MR findings with Gadopentetate dimeglumine
Purpose: To characterize the gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR features of recurrent medulloblastoma. Methods: The postsurgical gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR images of 48 patients (206 head examinations) with prior resection of medulloblastoma were retrospectively evaluated for enhancement in the brain parenchyma, meninges (dura, pia-arachnoid), and ventricles. Results: Nineteen patients had recurrent tumor as determined by clinical course and positive imaging studies. Seventeen patients with recurrent disease had intracranial enhancement predominating in the pia-arachnoid (63%) or as a focal nodular brain lesion (26%). Three of these patients also had intraventricular metastases. None of the clinically healthy patients had these findings. One patient with recurrent disease had extensive skeletal metastases without involvement of the central nervous system. Dural enhancement was observed in patients both with (42%) and without (38%) recurrent tumor. Conclusion: The MR findings of pia-arachnoidal or focal nodular brain enhancement are highly specific in the diagnosis of recurrent medulloblastoma. Pia-arachnodal or focal nodular brain enhancement were also a reliable indicator of recurrent medulloblastoma. Not all intraventricular metastases enhance with gadopentetate dimeglumine, and careful evaluation for nonenhancing lesions within the ventricles should be made on postoperative MR examines. 27 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.
- OSTI ID:
- 160069
- Journal Information:
- AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology, Journal Name: AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 15; ISSN 0195-6108; ISSN AAJNDL
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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