[Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis: magnetic resonance imaging findings in ten cases].

OBJECTIVE

To report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 10 patients with subependimal giant cell astrocytoma (SGCA) and tuberous sclerosis (TS).

METHOD: Ten patients were retrospectively studied, presenting TS and histologically proven SGCA. Four patients were male and six female, with mean age 15.7 years. All patients underwent MRI, which was analyzed by two radiologists, final diagnosis was reached by consensus. The following findings were studied: topography, size, signal intensity on T1/T2-weighted images, contrast enhancement and associated findings.

RESULTS

All patients presented a single lesion suggestive of SGCA, measuring between 1.5 cm and 8 cm in the largest diameter. Eight lesions were found near the foramen of Monro and two in the body of the lateral ventricles. The tumors showed preferentially intermediate signal on T1 (70%), high signal on T2-weighted images (100%), with intense enhancement after contrast administration (100%).

CONCLUSION

SGCA in patients with TS usually presents as a single lesion near the foramen of Monro, with intermediate signal on T1, high signal on T2-weighted images and intense contrast enhancement.