title: MRI features of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are rare, highly malignant tumors of the central nervous system, usually occurring in young children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the MRI features of AT/RT, with special emphasis on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI findings of 11 children with AT/RT were reviewed retrospectively, including DWI in 9 AT/RT children and MRS in 6 children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The neoplasms were infratentorial in 4 children and supratentorial in 5 children, both infra- and supratentorial in 1 child and multifocal in 1 child. AT/RT produced heterogeneous signal intensity from peripheral cysts in 7/11 (63%) and hemorrhage in 7/11 (63%). All lesions showed contrast enhancement of varying degrees. Seven (63%) had peritumoral edema. Nine (82%) were hyperintense on DWI with a mean ± SD ADC of 0.60 ± 0.13 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1). Six lesions (55%) exhibited elevated levels of choline and decreased NAA, and three had lipid peaks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A childhood intracranial tumor with off-midline location, peripheral cystic components, hemorrhage, low ADC, and lipid peaks on MRS suggests AT/RT to be considered a differential diagnosis.
authors: Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Rd., Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.
authors: Biao
authors: B
authors: Jin
authors: Xiao Yuan
authors: XY
authors: Feng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018335:Rhabdoid Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013724:Teratoma / Q000473:pathology*