Objective:

To analyze the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of middle cranial fossa tumors in children.

Methods:

Eighty-seven children with middle cranial fossa tumors were enrolled in this study

and the clinical manifestations and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

All the tumors of this group were single lesion. The highest morbidity of tumors in this group was hamartoma

and the lowest morbidity of tum

ors in this group was osteoblastoma. The border of hamartoma was smooth

and its MRI signal was similar to brain tissue. Craniopharyngioma is usually found in the sellar region and grows along the interstitial space. The characteristic feature of craniopharyngioma was the eggshell shape calcification. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma showed iso- and slightly hypo-intense signals on T1WI

and its signal was close to gray matter on T2WI

with relatively homogeneous enhancement. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) shows high signal. Chordoma was usually located in the clivus and sella turcica

with invading surrounding tissue. The border of meningioma was smooth and it was closed association to skull base with broad base. The necrosis of the tumor was rare and it had obvious enhancement. The MRI signal of rhabdomyosarcoma was uneven and the border was unclear

with the surrounding osteolytic destruction. After contrast injection

heterogeneous enhancement was seen in these tumors. Osteoblastoma often occurs in the spine and is rare in the intracranial region. The tumor showed swelling growth

it usually has the tumor bone and the margin of peritumoral cirrhosis. It often accompanied by cystic degeneration and necrosis.

Conclusion:

The locations of middle cranial fossa tumors in children were deep

and the clinicalsymptoms were cryptic and diversified. Most diagnosis of the diseases were late. Early MRI examinations can help improve the clinical diagnosis. The middle cranial fossa tumors present some characteristic MRI features

but the definite diagnosis still needs the histological findings.