Conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings in a pediatric patient with a posterior fossa brain tumor and papilledema

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2009;45(6):414-8. doi: 10.1159/000270156. Epub 2009 Dec 24.

Abstract

We present a case report of a 21-month-old female patient to highlight magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings associated with papilledema in a pediatric patient with an intracranial tumor. The MR findings included optic disc elevation, dilated perioptic subarachnoid spaces, optic nerve tortuosity and restricted diffusion in the optic nerve heads, all of which resolved upon resolution of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and papilledema. The case demonstrates that both conventional and diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings can detect the presence, and follow posttreatment resolution, of increased ICP and papilledema in a pediatric tumor patient. The postoperative resolution of optic disc elevation clearly indicates the intracranial tumor etiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Ependymoma / complications
  • Ependymoma / diagnosis*
  • Ependymoma / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / complications
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / therapy
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods
  • Papilledema / diagnosis*
  • Papilledema / etiology
  • Papilledema / therapy
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome