Biological features of common cerebellar tumors and MRI differential diagnosis

    WANG Wei1, LU Zhou1, WEI Longª²Xiao1, HUANG Jin1, WEI Jingª²Guo1, ZHANG Wei2, XIONG Xiaoª²Shuang1, CAI Ling1, BIAN Yuª²Gang1

    1Department of Radiology, 2Department of Pathology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710038, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To discuss the biological features of astrocytoma, medulloblastoma and hemangioblastoma as well as their MRI characteristics. METHODS: The location, shape, signals, anatomical structures, histopathological presentations and clinical manifestations were analyzed in 51 cases with cerebellar tumors, who had had preª²surgery MRI and whose tumor had later been surgically confirmed. RESULTS: In the subjects under the age of 15 years old, 10 had astrocytoma (10/2) and 67% of which occurred in the cerebellar hemisphere; 9 had medulloblastoma (7 other subjects in age 16 to 27) and 69% of which occurred in the vermis; 4 had hemangioblastoma (4/19) and 66% of which occurred by the cerebellar midline. 92% of the astrocytoma was cystous or cystousª²consolidated. Medulloblastoma originated from the remaining embryo cells of the reproductive center on top of the fourth ventricle in children (8/2) and from cells in the external granular layer beneath the cerebellar pia mater on the cerebellar surface in adults. Hemangioblastoma originated from the remaining and disrupted embryo cells during the original blood vessel formation in the early embryo and 70 % of which was macroª²cyst with microª²nodules. Astrocytoma presented long T1 and T2 MRI signals, medulloblastoma presented mixed longer T1 and T2 MRI signals with medium intensification, and hemangioblastoma presented significant wall nodule intensifying effects. CONCLUSION: Astrocytoma mostly occurs in children, in the cerebellar hemisphere with cystous or cystousª²consolidated presentation. Medulloblastoma occurs mostly in young adults, in the vermis with consolidated presentation. Hemangioblastoma occurs mostly in adults, by the cerebellar midline with significant wall nodule intensifying effects. ......