Objective:

To analyze the CT and MRI features of pediatric supratentorial anaplastic ependymomas.

Methods:

Clinical information and image findings of 12 children with pathology-confirmed supratentorial anaplastic ependymomas were retrospectively reviewed. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean)

minimum ADC (ADCmin) and tumor/nomal brain relative ADC (rADC) of solid component of tumors were measured.

All patients underwent MRI scans before operation

10 patients also underwent CT scans before MRI scans.

Results:

The tumor was located at the third ventricle in one case

at the parenchyma in 11 cases. On CT plain scan

the solid components in 5 cases showed isodensity

and hyperdensity in 5 cases. Eight cases had calcification and 6 cases showed speckled calcification. All tumors were cystic and solid

and 10 showed huge cystic degeneration. Eight tumors appeared as cysticcomponent closed to the lateral ventricle and 6 tumors solid component was located at the cortex. Three cases had no peritumoral edema

7 cases appeared mild peritumoral edema

and 2 cases presented moderate peritumoral edema. The solid component of the tumors showed iso-hypointensity on T1WI

and iso-hyperintensity on T2WI. All tumors showed obvious enhancement

11 with ring-like enhancement

and 1 with heterogenous enhancement accompanied with nodular enhancement. Eleven cases showed slightly hyperintense on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)

1 case presented isointense. The ADCmean value was (0.7570.149)10

-3

mm

2

/s

ADCmin value was (0.6010.114)10

-3

mm

2

/s

and rADC value was (0.8670.185)10

-3

mm

2

/s.

Conclusion:

The CT and MRI manifestations of supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma in children are characteristic

which must be helpful in the diagnosis.