MRI Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Hemangioblastoma of Central Nervous System

Purpose:To discuss the MRI features and differential diagnosis of hemangioblastomas in the central nervous system.Materials and Methods:The MRI features of 22 patients with hemangioblastomas confirmed histopathologically were analyzed retrospectively.Results:In this group there were 50 lesions in 22 patients.Multiple lesions were revealed in 5 cases.The lesions located in the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis(n=40),medulla oblongata and spinal cord(n=9),cerebral hemisphere(n=1).Among the 50 lesions,12 appeared as a large cyst with mural nodule,36 as a solid mass,2 as a simple cyst.Of large cyst with mural nodule lesions,the content of the cyst was hypointense signal on T1WI,and hyperintense signal on T2WI.The mural nodules were slightly hypointense signal or isointense signal on T1WI,and hyperintense signal on T2WI.The solid masses were isointense signal on T1WI,slightly hyperintense signal and hyperintense signal on T2WI.On contrast enhanced scans,all mural nodules and solid tumors were showed marked homogeneous enhancement.On PWI the mural nodules and solid tumors were demonstrated marked hyperperfusion.Conclusion:Hemangioblastomas have distinctive manifestation,MRI enhanced scans and PWI play an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hemangioblastomas.