Role of MRI in Diagnosis of Medulloblastoma

Abstract

rain tumors represent the most common solid neoplasm in children and second most common pediatric malignancy overall. The majority of primary childhood brain tumors occurs in the infratentorial compartment and includes: medulloblastoma, juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), ependymoma, brainstem/pontine glioma, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) which is an additional rare but important primary brain tumor of early childhood. CT and MR evaluation is critical in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with posterior fossa tumors. This study aims to provide an overview of the imaging features and appearances of the most common primary posterior fossa brain tumors in children and the diagnosis of medulloblastoma. Conventional MRI is essential for diagnosis as well as evaluation of location, extent of the tumor and involved brain tissues (gray matter versus white matter), but often offers limited information regarding tumor grade and type. Additional, more specific non-invasive diagnostic tests are needed. Recent studies evaluated the role of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating grades and types of pediatric brain tumors in the posterior fossa.