Intracranial hemangioblastoma:MRI findings and pathology correlation

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the MRI feature and pathological findings of Hemangioblastomas,so that to elevate the diagnostic accuracy.Methods MR imaging,clinical and pathological features of Hemangioblastomas in 18 cases were analyzed retrospectively.Results There was a wide distribiation of lesions.Concretely,lesions were found in right cerebellar hemisphere(n=5),left cerebellar hemisphere(n=9),cerebellar vermis(n=3),and the right lateral ventricle trigone(n=1).On MRI,9 cases were cyst-nodule type,3 cases were cystic and solid,1 was pure cystic type,and 5 cases were solid type.The MR imaging was cyst-nodule type of the atypical hemangioblastomas.On contrast-enhanced MR imaging,the nodule component was strongly enhanced,while the wall was enhanced scarcely.13 were solid and 10 nodules were beside the cyst;typical hemangioblastoma nodules showed large cyst,and small nodules were significantly abnormal enhancement.In general pathology,tumor cells were both cystic and substantive form,cyst fluid and transparent,light yellow,high protein content.The composition of the solid part was the rich in blood vessels and sinusoids.Under the microscope,the composition of tumor cells included blood vessels and the vascular stromal cells,and in the vascular endothelial cells around the area,the rich reticular fiber was obserred.It generally occurred in middle-aged male.Conclusion The hemangioblastomas has specific appearances in MRI and can be easily diagnosed combined with clinic,but for the atypical hemangioblastomas,it would take for the differential diagnosis,enhanced MRI is more useful for diagnosing.