Medulloblastoma MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2]

Brain MRI with gadolinium based contrast is the investigation of choice for the diagnosis of medulloblastoma. On a T1 weighted brain MRI image, medulloblastoma is characterized by a hypointense mass located at the posterior cerebral fossa that may demonstrate calcification and necrosis.^[1]

• Brain MRI with gadolinium based contrast is the investigation of choice for the diagnosis of medulloblastoma.^[1]
• On brain MRI, medulloblastoma is characterized by a mass located at the posterior cerebral fossa.
• MRI image characteristics observed among medulloblastoma patients include:

• T1 weighted image demonstrates:

• Hypointense mass

• T1 weighted image with gadolinium contrast demonstrates:

• Heterogeneous enhancement in 90% of the cases

• T2 weighted image demonstrates:

• Heterogeneous/hyperintense enhancement due to calcification, necrosis, and cyst formation

• FLAIR MRI image demonstrates:^[2]

• Localized areas of isointensity or hypointensity
• Radiating star-shaped enhancement
• Multiple nodular enhancing pattern

• Gadolinium based contrast MRI imaging of the whole central nervous system is recommended to identify any drop metastases and leptomeningeal seeding.^[1]

For magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of medulloblastoma please click here.

• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Sagittal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Sagittal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Sagittal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]
• 
  Coronal MRI section of medulloblastoma^[1]

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