Magnetic resonance imaging findings of mixed neuronal-glial tumors with pathologic correlation: a review

Acta Neurol Belg. 2018 Sep;118(3):379-386. doi: 10.1007/s13760-018-0981-1. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Abstract

Mixed neuronal-glial tumors are rare, and MRI diagnosis of them presents a challenge. In this review, we discuss the MRI findings of ganglioglioma, anaplastic ganglioglioma, desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma, papillary glioneuronal tumor, rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor, and primary diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor with clinicopathologic correlation. There is overlap of imaging features both with each other and some other tumors, which complicates diagnosis. The combination of imaging findings and the age, location, and appropriate clinical picture should allow the radiologist and the clinicians to raise a provisional diagnosis of a mixed neuronal glial tumor, and guide patient management.

Keywords: Anaplastic ganglioglioma; Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma; Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor; Ganglioglioma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mixed neuronal–glial tumor; Papillary glioneuronal tumor; Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ganglioglioma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ganglioglioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Neuroimaging*