Preoperative MRI diagnosis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease: case report with associated enlarged vessel and syrinx.
BACKGROUND
The most common primary cerebellar tumor is hemangioblastoma, a lesion which is associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MR)-detectable vascularity in over 60%. Lhermitte-Duclos disease is an uncommon cause of a cerebellar mass that is not typically vascular.


METHODS
Computed tomography (CT), MRI with and without contrast, and magnetic resonance venography was performed in a patient with a cerebellar mass.


RESULTS
The cerebellar mass was noted to have a prominent vessel, as well as an associated syrinx. In spite of MRI-detectable vascularity, the striped appearance of the lesion was felt to be typical of Lhermitte-Duclos disease. At surgery, the mass was resected and the diagnosis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease was confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease should be made when MRI shows a parallel linear "tiger-striped" lesion of the cerebellum. The presence of an enlarged vessel and/or syrinx should not deter one from making the preoperative diagnosis.
Wolansky
L J
LJ
Department of Radiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 070103, USA.
Malantic
G P
GP
Heary
R
R
Maniker
A H
AH
Lee
H J
HJ
Sharer
L R
LR
Patel
U J
UJ
D000328:Adult; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed