Intracranial ependymomas: The role of advanced neuroimaging in diagnosis and management

Neuroradiol J. 2021 Apr;34(2):80-92. doi: 10.1177/1971400921990770. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Abstract

Intracranial ependymomas represent a rare subgroup of glial tumours, showing a wide variety of imaging characteristics, often representing a challenging diagnosis for neuroradiologists. Here, we review the most recent scientific Literature on intracranial ependymomas, highlighting the most characteristic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features of these neoplasms, along with epidemiologic data, recent classification aspects, clinical presentation and conventional therapeutic strategies. In addition, we report an illustrative case of an 18-year-old girl presenting with an intracranial supratentorial, anaplastic ependymoma, with the aim of contributing to the existing knowledge and comprehension of this rare tumour.

Keywords: Ependymoma; anaplastic ependymoma; ependymoma CT; ependymoma MRI; intracranial ependymoma; supratentorial ependymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ependymoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ependymoma / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed