Conventional and advanced (DTI/SWI) neuroimaging findings in pediatric oligodendroglioma.

PURPOSE: Oligodendroglioma are rare pediatric brain tumors. The literature about neuroimaging findings is scant. A correct presurgical diagnosis is important to plan the therapeutic approach. Here, we evaluated the conventional and advanced neuroimaging features in our cohort of pediatric oligodendrogliomas and discuss our findings in the context of the current literature.

METHODS: Clinical histories were reviewed for tumor grading, neurologic manifestation, treatment, and clinical status at the last follow-up. Neuroimaging studies were retrospectively evaluated for tumor morphology and characteristics on conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTS: Five children with oligodendroglioma were included in this study. Four children were diagnosed with a low-grade oligodendroglioma. The location of the tumors included the frontal and temporal lobe in two cases each and the fronto-parietal lobe in one. In all oligodendrogliomas, tumor margins appeared sharp. In the high-grade oligodendroglioma, a cystic and partially hemorrhagic component was seen. In all children, the tumor showed a T1-hypointense and T2-hyperintense signal. The signal intensity on fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) images was hyperintense in four and mixed hypo-hyperintense in one child. The anaplastic oligodendroglioma showed postcontrast enhancement and decreased diffusion while the low-grade oligodendrogliomas showed increased diffusion. One low-grade oligodendroglioma showed calcifications on susceptibility weighted imaging.

CONCLUSION: Conventional MRI findings of pediatric oligodendrogliomas are nonspecific. Advanced MRI sequences may differentiate (1) low-grade and high-grade pediatric oligodendrogliomas and (2) pediatric oligodendrogliomas and other brain tumors.