Lateral Ventricular Ependymomas: MR Imaging Features and Differential Diagnosis

Objective: To study the MR imaging features of lateral ventricular ependymomas.Materials and Methods: 38 cases of lateral ventricular ependymomas with histologically confirmed were retrospectively reviewed in terms of location,size,pattern of growth,signal intensity,enhancement pattern as well as the presence or absence of cyst on MR imaging.Results: Almost of tumors were iso-or hypointense on T₁WI and all of tumors were hyperintense on T₂WI.A cystic component was seen in 73.7% of lateral ventricular ependymomas and intratumoral hemorrhage was rare.Almost of tumors were irregular margins.22(57.9%)cases of tumors infiltrated vicinity of brain tissue and 30(78.9%) cases extended to opposite side ventricle or third ventricle.Almost of tumors(89.5%)showed obviously non-uniform enhancement and 4 cases showed slight non-uniform enhancement.Conclusion: Lateral ventricular ependymomas have certain MR features,which are very help to make correct preoperative diagnosis and different diagnosis.