Hypertrophic olivary degeneration resulting from posterior fossa masses and their treatments

Abstract

Purpose: Characterize hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) that develops from posterior fossa masses and their treatments.

Methods: Retrospectively reviewed MR images and clinical data of 10 patients with posterior fossa masses and HOD.

Results: Eight patients had cerebellar lesions, and two patients had pontine lesions. Lesions consisted of tumors, demyelination, and nonspecific necrosis. MRI showed T2 hyperintense signal in the inferior olive a median 86 days after the diagnosis of a posterior fossa lesion. HOD presented prior to surgery (n=2), after surgery (n=3), after surgery/radiation therapy (n=4), or without treatment (n=1).

Conclusions: HOD may develop from posterior fossa masses and surgical and/or radiation therapy.

Keywords: All oncology; MRI; Radiation-therapy tumor; Surgical-therapy tumor.