Adult medulloblastoma: review of 13 cases with emphasis on MRI

• Published in: Neuroradiology Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 104 - 108
• Main Authors: BECKER, R. L, BECKER, A. D, SOBEL, D. F
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-02-1995
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebellar Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Medulloblastoma - pathology; Middle Aged; Neurology; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; Human; Malignant glioma; Nervous system diseases; Neurospongioma; Central nervous system disease; Adult; Malignant tumor; Diagnosis; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 0028-3940; 1432-1920
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00588622

Medulloblastomas are generally associated with childhood, but 14-30% occur in adults, accounting for 1% of adult central nervous system tumors. While approximately one third of adult medulloblastomas present as vermian tumors similar to those seen in childhood, the majority differ substantially from the childhood variety. In this series of 13 patients, 5 had lateral, seemingly extra-axial masses in the cerebellopontine angle or at the tentorium, simulating meningiomas or acoustic neuromas, but angiographic hypovascularity in 2 of the latter suggested a diagnosis other than meningioma. Of 4 paramedian tumors, 3 diffusely infiltrated the cerebellar white matter, showed little or no gadolinium enhancement and were not associated with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus was present in less than half of our patients; in childhood the reported incidence is 85-100%. A possible association with pregnancy was noted.