The Usefulness of MR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor in Children: A Study of 14 Cases

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 829 - 834
• Main Authors: Fernandez, Carla, Girard, Nadine, Paz Paredes, Armando, Bouvier-Labit, Corinne, Lena, Gabriel, Figarella-Branger, Dominique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01.05.2003; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Brain Neoplasms - complications; Brain Neoplasms - diagnosis; Brain Neoplasms - pathology; Child; Child, Preschool; Epilepsies, Partial - etiology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial - complications; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial - diagnosis; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial - pathology; Neuroglia - pathology; Neurology; Pediatrics; Retrospective Studies; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; Human; Case study; Intracranial; Nervous system diseases; Central nervous system disease; Medical imagery; Dysembryoplasic neuroepithelial tumor; Benign neoplasm; Diagnosis; Child; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Cerebral disorder
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs) are benign lesions affecting children and are associated with epilepsy. The goal of our study was to better characterize the clinical-radiologic-pathologic spectrum of DNTs (complex and simple forms only) in a series of 14 children. Clinical, neuroradiologic, and pathologic features of all cases were retrospectively studied. Eleven cases of complex and three cases of simple DNTs were identified. Mean follow-up was 87 months, and no recurrence was recorded except for one case of simple DNT. We found that some neuroradiologic features may be helpful to support the diagnosis of DNT: presence of "septations," triangular pattern of distribution, and absence of contrast enhancement. The evidence of the specific glioneuronal element is found by pathologic examination, but the typical neuroradiologic aspect of DNT suggests this diagnosis preoperatively. Radiologic examination may be helpful for the diagnosis of DNT when pathologic findings are inconclusive.