Primary malignant rhabdoid tumor of the brain: CT and MR findings.
- Author:
Choon Sik YOON
1
;
Sylvester CHUANG
;
Venita JAY
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Brain; neoplasms; CT brain neoplasms; MR
- MeSH: Adolescence; Brain Neoplasms/pathology; Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Human; Infant; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*; Male; Retrospective Studies; Rhabdoid Tumor/pathology; Rhabdoid Tumor/diagnosis*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2000;41(1):8-16
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe the CT and MR findings of primary malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) of the brain, which is a rare but very aggressive neoplasm in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we evaluated the CT and MR findings of 5 patients of primary MRT of the brain with a review of clinical records. RESULTS: The primary MRTs of the brain were large (n = 4) with a tendency to be associated with necrosis, hemorrhage (n = 2) and calcification (n = 2). Solid components of the tumor showed increased attenuation on precontrast CT scan and iso- or slightly hyper-signal intensity on T2-weighted images probably due to hypercellularity. Solid components of the tumor were also well enhanced on contrast-enhanced CT scan (n = 5) and MRI (n = 2). In 1 case with intratumoral bleeding, MR findings were variable on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Intracranial and intraspinal metastasis were found in 2 cases on preoperative MR studies. Follow-up CT and MR studies showed recurrence of the tumor and/or leptomeningeal metastasis in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although CT and MR findings of primary MRT of the brain are nonspecific, a tendency toward large size, calcification and intratumoral bleeding may be attributed to CT and MR findings. The solid components of tumors could present hyperdense on precontrast CT scan and iso- or slightly hyper-signal intensity on T2-weighted MR image. Preoperative and follow-up MR studies are important to detect metastatic foci.
