title: Imaging of central neurocytomas.
abstract: Central neurocytoma (CN) is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of any intraventricular lesion. Initial evaluation should include noncontrast CT, MRI with and without gadolinium contrast, and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, if available. CN classically appear as a partially calcified mass on CT, arising from the septum pellucidum or foramen of Monro, with a soap-bubble multicystic appearance on MR T2-imaging and heterogeneous enhancement on MR T1 postcontrast imaging. MR perfusion/permeability and dynamic contrast imaging are experimental and promising tools in the diagnosis of CN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St, Suite 330, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. Electronic address: Daniel.Donoho@med.usc.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donoho
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St, Suite 330, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zada
mesh_terms: D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D018306:Neurocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Brain tumor; Central neurocytomas; Computed tomography; Intraventricular tumor; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Neuroradiology