The MRI features of the central neurocytoma

Objective:To investigate the MRI features of central neurocytoma(CNC).Methods:The MRI features of 14 cases with pathology proved CNC were retrospectively analyzed.All had plain and enhanced MRI.Results:The location of the lesions were at the lateral ventricle,adjacent to foramen of monro foramen and septum pellucidum(10 cases),8 cases of them were located at the anterior 2/3 of lateral ventricle,2 cases at the posterior 2/3 of the lateral ventricle;2 cases had the tumor protruded into the third ventricle,all accompanied with dilation of bilateral lateral ventricle,which was much obvious in the homolateral ventricle.All lesions showed solid-cystic components on MRI,the solid components showed iso-hypo-intensities on T1WI,heterogeneous or slightly hyper-intensities on T2WI.The cystic components showed long T1 and long T2 signal intensities.Peri-tumoral strip-like structures adhered to ventricle wall,corpus callosum and septum pellucidum could be seen in 7 patients.On post-contrast MRI,the solid parts demonstrated mostly mild and partly moderate enhancement,the cystic part showed non-enhancement.Ring-like marked enhancement could be assessed at the peri-necrotic area or the peri-necrotic parenchyma showed slightly long T1 and T2 signal intensities with marked enhancement in 6 patients;intra-/peri-lesional vascular ectasia was observed in 5 patients,heterogeneous signal intensities in extra-ventricular lesions were seen in 4 patients.Conclusion:Central neurocytoma had certain characteristic appearances on MRI,diagnosis could be made in combination with the age and location of the lesion.