Neuroradiological findings in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the central nervous system.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of atypical teratoid tumor/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) of the central nervous system (CNS).


METHODS
Twenty cases of CNS AT/RT have been found over the past 23 years in our hospital; these involving 11 boys and 9 girls whose mean age at diagnosis was 5.5 years. Their clinical data, the CT, and MRI findings were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
AT/RT was located in the cerebellum in 15 cases. Four cases arose from the supratentorial region, while only one occurred primarily in the lumbar spinal cord. Almost all cases revealed heterogeneous intensity and heterogeneous enhancement. Peripheral cystic components were common. Survival time ranged from 2 months to 3 years, with a mean survival of 11.6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Most cases of AT/RT are located in the cerebellum. The radiologic manifestations are non-specific. The diagnosis mainly depends on the pathologic findings. However, AT/RT should still remain in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors in young children, especially those located in the cerebellar hemisphere and with eccentric cysts.
Cheng
Y C
YC
Department of Radiology, I-Lan Hospital, Department of Health, The Executive Yuan, I-Lan, Taiwan, ROC.
Lirng
J F
JF
Chang
F C
FC
Guo
W Y
WY
Teng
M M H
MM
Chang
C Y
CY
Wong
T T
TT
Ho
D M T
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018335:Rhabdoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013724:Teratoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed