Spinal cord ependymomas: MR imaging features.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of spinal intramedullary ependymomas.


METHODS
MR images obtained in 25 patients (aged 12-73 years) with proved intramedullary ependymomas were retrospectively reviewed. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained in all patients. Gadopentetate dimeglumine was intravenously administered in 23 patients; enhanced sagittal and axial T1-weighted spin-echo images were reviewed.


RESULTS
All tumors had hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images. In the 23 patients who received contrast material, all tumors became enhanced; enhancement was heterogeneous in 15 patients and homogeneous in eight patients. Twenty tumors had sharply defined, enhanced borders. Nineteen tumors were centrally located in the spinal cord. A hypointense rim on T2-weighted images was noted in five patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Intramedullary ependymomas become enhanced after administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine; the enhanced borders are usually sharply marginated. They are characteristically located centrally in an expanded spinal cord. Hemosiderin is often present at the periphery of cervical ependymomas.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006485:Hemosiderin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D006485:Hemosiderin; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA