Donghyun Kim MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ji-Hoon Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seung Hong Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chul-Ho Sohn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yoo Jeong Yim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ji Yeon Jang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kee Hyun Chang MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the MR imaging findings for the differentiation between intramedullary spinal astrocytoma and ependymoma.

We retrospectively reviewed MR images of 43 consecutive patients (mean age: 35.7 years) with intramedullary spinal astrocytoma (n=19) or ependymoma (n=24). For qualitative analysis, MR imaging findings of each tumor were analyzed with regard to the location, T2 signal intensity (SI) at the enhancing portion, enhancement pattern, presence of cystic component, hydromyelia, hemorrhage and cap sign, and other findings. The enhancement pattern and T2 SI were quantitatively measured, which included the ratio of enhancing area to total T2 high SI area, and kurtosis and skewness of enhancement and T2 SI at the tumors. MR features to identify astrocytoma and ependymoma were compared by means of univariate analysis and multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis.

The qualitative analysis found significant differences between two tumors including the presence of T2 high SI at enhancing portion (12 of 15 astrocytomas vs 11 of 24 ependymomas; p=0.049), enhancement (15 of 19 vs 24 of 24; p=0.031), diffuse enhancement (8 of 15 vs 23 of 24; p=0.003), hydromyelia (4 of 19 vs 22 of 24; p0.05). Results of multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of hydromyelia was the only variable that could be used to independently differentiate ependymoma from astrocytoma.

The presence of hydromyelia is the main factor distinguishing ependymoma from astrocytoma.

Although there are some qualitative and quantitative differences between ependymoma and astrocytoma, the presence of hydromyelia is the main factor distinguishing ependymoma from astrocytoma.

Kim, D, Kim, J, Choi, S, Sohn, C, Yim, Y, Jang, J, Chang, K, Differentiation between Intramedullary Spinal Astrocytoma and Ependymoma: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of MR Imaging Findings.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9005973.html