Tumefactive cerebral amyloid angiopathy mimicking CNS neoplasm

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013 Jan;200(1):50-6. doi: 10.2214/AJR.12.8500.

Abstract

Objective: The tumefactive variant of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is rare. In this article we describe imaging findings associated with this entity and evaluate the role of susceptibility MRI sequences in its diagnosis.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in elderly patients, susceptibility sequences should be part of prebiopsy MRI for tumefactive lesions. Identification of characteristic diffuse microhemorrhages should prompt inclusion of CAA in the differential diagnosis, targeted biopsy of the cortex and leptomeninges, and pathologic staining for CAA.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged