title: Radiographically distinct variant of pilocytic astrocytoma: a case series.
abstract: The imaging findings of pilocytic astrocytomas are classically described as a cyst with an enhancing mural nodule. We report 2 unusual cases of multicystic cerebellar midline masses that were proven to be pilocytic astrocytomas. The uniqueness of the imaging features in these cases may represent an important variant of pilocytic astrocytomas. Recognition of this variant may prevent an unnecessary workup to exclude other etiologies such as parasitic infection (ie, cysticercosis) or cystic metastatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Penar
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tarasiewicz
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult