Pictorial Review of Pediatric and Adult Primary Posterior Fossa Masses
Posterior fossa masses are a relatively common finding for neuroradiologists. In some cases, it can be difficult to definitively diagnose these masses by using imaging findings alone. However, posterior fossa masses often preferentially present in specific age groups and have characteristic
CT and/or MR imaging findings, which can either help formulate the correct diagnosis or significantly narrow the working differential diagnosis. This pictorial essay will review posterior fossa masses in both adult and pediatric patients seen at our institution. The posterior fossa masses
are presented in 3 categories: pediatric, adult extra-axial, and adult intra-axial. Distinguishing CT and/or MR imaging features and demographics are discussed for each mass, with select cases reviewing uncommon and atypical appearances. The goal of this pictorial essay is to give the radiologist
a refined approach to formulating an appropriate differential diagnosis for pediatric and adult primary posterior fossa masses.
Learning Objective: Describe the imaging and demographic characteristics of posterior fossa masses in adult and pediatric patients.
Learning Objective: Describe the imaging and demographic characteristics of posterior fossa masses in adult and pediatric patients.
Keywords: CN = cranial nerve; CPA = cerebellopontine angle; GRE = gradient-recalled echo; JPA = juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma; NF-1 = neurofibromatosis 1; NF-2 = neurofibromatosis 2; PNET = primitive neuroectodermal tumor
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: June 1, 2013
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