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The role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric brain tumors

Child's Nervous System volume 22, pages 1435–1439 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) may enhance the radiographic diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors. This study reviews the DWI properties of pediatric brain tumors at our institution and examines their relationship to tumor grade and type.

Materials and methods

The preoperative DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) characteristics of brain tumors in 41 children were compared with histologic diagnosis. Signal characteristics on DWI and ADC maps correlated well with tumor grade. High-grade lesions were hyperintense on DWI and hypointense on ADC maps. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 70, 100, 100, and 91%, respectively. Signal characteristics did not differ among different tumors of the same grade. All primitive neuroectodermal tumors showed diffusion restriction whereas none of the ependymomas did.

Conclusions

The signal characteristics on DWI and ADC maps appeared to be strongly correlated to grade in pediatric brain tumors and they may assist with preoperative diagnostic predictions.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank Kristin Kraus for her editorial assistance in preparing this paper.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Primary Children’s Medical Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, 100 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84113, USA

    Peter Kan, James K. Liu, Douglas L. Brockmeyer, Marion L. Walker & John R. W. Kestle

  2. Department of Radiology, Primary Children’s Medical Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake, UT, USA

    Gary Hedlund

Authors
  1. Peter Kan
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  2. James K. Liu
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  3. Gary Hedlund
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  4. Douglas L. Brockmeyer
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  5. Marion L. Walker
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  6. John R. W. Kestle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John R. W. Kestle.

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Kan, P., Liu, J.K., Hedlund, G. et al. The role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric brain tumors. Childs Nerv Syst 22, 1435–1439 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0229-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0229-x

Keywords

  • Pediatric brain tumors
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Diffusion-weighted imaging
  • Apparent diffusion coefficient