title: [Diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas and astrocytomas using magnetic resonance imaging: analysis of 15 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas(INSE) and astrocytomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analyses of the MRI images were conducted in 15 cases of INSE and 10 cases of astrocytoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI appearances were similar in the 2 types of neoplasms, both showing enlargement of the involved spinal cord segments, low signal and blurred boundary on T1-weighted imaging, and high signal on T2-weighted imaging. Peritumoral cyst formation were found in 16 patients. Contrast enhancement was homogeneous in 6 cases of ependymomas and 1 of astrocytoma, heterogeneous in 1 astrocytoma case, and no enhancement in 2 astrocytoma cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of INSE and astrocytomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of CT and MR, 401 Hospital of PLA, Qingdao 266071, China. linyzqd@sina.com
authors.forename: Yue-zeng
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xue-lin
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*