A Rare, Mixed Neuronal-glial Tumor of the Central Nervous System |
||
|
Sections Clinical History Imaging Studies Light Microscopy Electron Microscopy Diagnosis Discussion Reader Feedback |
Imaging StudiesMRI was performed on a 1.5 Tesla unit with T1 weighted spin echo sequences consisting of TR/TE 622/15, matrix of 205 x 256, 1 signal averaged and scan time of 2:03. Coronal and sagittal sequences were obtained prior to contrast injection, while coronal and axial sequences were obtained following injection of 0.1 mmmol/kg of gadopentate dimeglumine (gadolinium). T2 weighted fast spin echo imaging consisted of axial TR/TE 30000/121, matrix of 192 x 256, 2 signals averaged, scan time of 2:00, and echo train length of 17. All imaging included field of view 230 mm, 5 mm thick slices and 1 mm gap. Non contrast, T1 weighted images showed a circumscribed oval 3 x 2.5 cm low signal homogenous mass lesion in the right temporal lobe extending from just under the cortical surface, laterally to just under the ependymal surface of the atrium of the lateral ventricle medially. Little mass effect was present. |
|
 Figure 1. Magnify Image |
Following contrast injection, a 6 mm circumscribed nodule intensely enhanced along the lateral margin of the mass | |
 Figure 2 Magnify Image |
T2 weighted images revealed the 3 x 3.5 cm mass to be homogeneously of high signal and the 6 mm nodule to be of low signal. A small amount of surrounding brain edema was present. | |
|
The imaging characteristics of the 6 mm nodule are those of a solid, vascularized neoplasm, while the 3 x 2.5 cm homogenous structure represents a cyst. The imaging studies suggested the following differential diagnoses: pilocytic astrocytoma, an inflammatory or infectious cyst and a hemangioblastoma. The patient underwent craniotomy and biopsy of the lesion in the right temporal lobe.. |
||
| Light Microscopy | ||
| November 1997 Case-of-the-Month | ||