Symptomatic child case of subependymoma in the fourth ventricle without hydrocephalus

Radiat Med. 2001 Jan-Feb;19(1):37-42.

Abstract

We report a rare child case of symptomatic subependymoma in the fourth ventricle without hydrocephalus. The upper half of the tumor was demonstrated as a non-enhancing isodense mass with punctate calcification on CT, whereas the lower portion showed slightly irregular ring-like enhancement with a central hypodense area. The tumor was heterogeneously hyperintense on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. When scanned with a T1-weighted sequence, the upper portion of the tumor was isointense to brain, but the lower portion was hypointense. However, using Gd-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, such as in postcontrast CT, the upper portion did not enhance, whereas the lower portion revealed similar ring-like enhancement, which was suggestive of necrosis. To further confirm the nature of the tumor, a diffusion-weighted imaging study with echo-planar technique was performed, and it indicated the solid nature of the tumor, which was confirmed histopathologically.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Contrast Media
  • Fourth Ventricle*
  • Gadolinium
  • Glioma, Subependymal / diagnosis*
  • Glioma, Subependymal / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium