MRI of intracranial subependymomas.

OBJECTIVE

We report imaging features of two cases of subependymoma, a relatively rare benign intraventricular neoplasm.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The first case was a lateral ventricular tumor, which grew to a large size before becoming symptomatic. The second case was a fourth ventricular subependymoma with extensive cisternal spread.

RESULTS

In Case 1, absence of postcontrast enhancement suggested the correct diagnosis. However, in Case 2 heterogeneous enhancement made the diagnosis uncertain. In both cases, pre- and postoperative MRI was superior to other modalities in defining tumor extent and delineating the surrounding anatomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for studying subependymomas. The diagnosis should be placed among differential considerations for intraventricular tumors.