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Intraventricular tumors
Amit Agarwal MD, Sangam Kanekar MD
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.sult.2015.12.003
Reference: YSULT678
To appear in:
Semin Ultrasound CT MRI
Cite this article as: Amit Agarwal MD, Sangam Kanekar MD, Intraventricular tumors,
Semin Ultrasound CT MRI , http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.sult.2015.12.003
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Seminars in US, CT and MRI “Ventricles and cisterns”
Authors:
2. Sangam Kanekar MD
Abstract
the classic division as intra versus extraxial masses. Intraventricular tumors are unique
because of the diverse pathologic spectrum, including the entire gamut of neuroepithelial
and non-neuroepithelial tumors. Most of these tumors are clinically benign presenting
and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) play a pivotal role in diagnosis and
intraventricular location, we will be discussing the common eight tumors, which together
constitute more than 90% of intraventricular masses. Demographics, clinical and imaging
Introduction
Intraventricular tumors are rare lesions that make up 0.8 to 1.6% of all intracranial
tumors, with the vast majority of them being benign. They are however more common in
1 ,2
children and comprise around 16% of childhood and adolescent intracranial tumors.
These are a histologically heterogeneous group of tumors that can be divided into
primary and secondary intraventricular tumors. ―Primary tumors‖ are neoplasms that
to the ventricles (e.g. choroid plexus papilloma) and tumors frequently seen
subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). The septum pellucidum consists of two
layers of both white and gray matter, giving rise to central neurocytomas, a glial neuronal
tumor that is unique to the ventricular system. Choroid plexus is the most vascular
structure in the ventricular system and gives rise to choroid plexus papilloma and
carcinoma which are cerebrospinal fluid (CSf) secreting tumors, frequently causing
generally arise from the choroid plexus secondary to the inherent high vascularity of the
originate from adjacent brain substance and demonstrate more than two-thirds exophytic
Clinical signs and symptoms of intraventricular tumor vary according to age and tumor
with macrocephaly, loss of appetite and irritability. Older children and adults present with
headache and vomiting with papilledema commonly seen on examination.6 Seizures and
visual disturbances are uncommon manifestation of these tumors. Tumors of the posterior
fossa have a higher tendency to be symptomatic and cause hydrocephalus with signs of
cerebellar dysfunction including ataxia and dysmetria. Some intraventricular tumors are
asymptomatic and may be incidentally discovered on brain imaging. The best example of
this would be a subependymoma seen within the lateral ventricles on a trauma head CT.
Imaging studies are the key component in the diagnosis of intraventricular tumors.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred modality of choice for imaging
Cranial ultrasound and Doppler are useful in infants with limited role in adult population.
(SWI) and advanced techniques including perfusion imaging and Proton (H1)
spectroscopy are increasingly being utilized for tumor characterization. This is especially
important if the mass is benign and conservative follow-up could be the optimal
treatment. 7
A systemic approach taking into consideration patient age, location of tumor and imaging
findings can substantially narrow down the differential, and in many cases suggest a
single most probably diagnosis. Patient‘s age and location are the two key concepts for
(CN) and SEGAs are predominantly located in the anterior portion of the lateral
ventricles whereas epedymomas and subependymomas are more common in the fourth
ventricle. Vascular lesions such as meningiomas and metastasis tend to occur within the
atria of the lateral ventricles as the choroid plexus is most prominent in this region.
Epedymomas and choroid plexus tumors are usually seen in the pediatric age group,
9
whereas meningiomas and CN are usually seen in middle-aged adults (30-40 years).
The demographic and major imaging features of the common intraventricular tumors are
tumor resection. Neuroendoscopic surgery has however become the first-line modality
for obtaining tumor samples from most intraventricular tumors along with simultaneous
cases. Endoscopy may also be used for complete excision of intraventricular tumors in
10
selected cases.
Choroid plexus tumors constitute about 0.5 % of adult brain tumors and 1-2% of pediatric
brain tumors, with majority (80%) being diagnosed as choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) as
compared to carcinomas (20%). The frequency of these tumors is much higher in the
infant age group, ranging from 15-20% of intracranial tumors in the first year of life.
Most common locations are the atria of lateral ventricle (50%) and the fourth ventricle
11,12
(40%). These tumors are divided on histology as typical CPP (WHO Grade I) ,
atypical CPP (WHO Grade II) and CPC (Grade III). Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPC)
are found exclusively in children. All these tumors are associated with Aicardi and Li-
Fraumeni syndromes.13 These tumors are derived from the neuroepithelial cells of the
choroid plexus and present as well-circumscribed lobulated cauliflower like masses. On
histology, CPPs resemble normal choroid tissue with fronds of fibrovascular connective
tissue, no atypical cells or significant mitotic activity. On the contrary, CPCs show classic
malignant findings of nuclear pleomorphism, high mitotic activity and invasion into the
hallmarks of CPC. There is marked overproduction of CSF by all these tumors resulting
villi due to associated hemorrhage. All these changes are more prominent in CPC as
compared to CPP. 14
Neuroimaging findings are characteristic of choroid plexus tumors. These are iso to
on T1-weighted sequences with variable signal intensity masses on T2-images. They are
very well-circumscribed and tend to engulf the normal choroid plexus (Fig.1).
Hydrocephalus is present in almost all the cases and is more prominent in fourth
ventricular lesions. Given the very high vascularity, these tumors tend to enhance avidly
and may show prominent intralesional flow voids on MR, with enlarged choroidal
arteries in many cases. Parenchymal invasion may be seen in CPC, however is rare with
CPP (Fig.2). Similarly, although CSF seeding can be seen with either CPP or CPC, it is
much more common with the later. Despite these differences, imaging cannot confidently
differentiate between CPP and CPC, and therefore imaging of the entire neuroaxis is
tumors show markedly elevated cerebral blood flow on dynamic perfusion imaging.
Gross total surgical resection is the treatment of choice in all the choroid plexus tumors
Meningioma
Meningiomas arise from the arachnoid cap cells within the choroid plexus and are usually
seen within the atria of the lateral ventricles. They constitute 0.5- 3.7 % of all intracranial
meningiomas.17 These tumors are usually seen in the age group pf 30-60 years with a
generally benign WHO Grade I tumors, very similar to convexity meningiomas, and most
typically present with headaches or signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension. The
ventricular trigone is in close proximity to the hippocampus and visual pathway, and
hence seizures and visual changes have been reported with trigonal meningiomas.20
Imaging findings closely resemble dural meningiomas. They are hyperdense on CT with
calcification seen in around 50% of cases. They are iso to hypointense on T1W images
and hyperintense on T2 with avid post contrast enhancement (Fig. 3). Cystic changes are
often seen in pediatric meningiomas. Elevated alanine to creatine ratio on MRS has high
5,21
specificity for meningiomas. Dynamic perfusion images shows persistent elevated
Metastases
common primaries in adult include lung, breast, renal and colon carcinomas. Renal
metastases are unique in the fact that they can seed the choroid plexus decades after the
primary diagnosis. In the pediatric age group, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma and
retinoblastomas are the most common primaries. The vast majority of these lesions are
seen in the lateral ventricle. The diagnosis is straightforward when associated with
ventricular metastases from other benign tumors, like meningioma, can however be
challenging. Lumbar puncture with CSf analysis can usually provide answers in such
equivocal cases. 22
Neoplasm of the ventricular wall and septum pellucidum
Ependymoma
ependymal cells lining the ventricle and central canal. They are seen in both adults and
children with no gender preference. They constitute around 2-9% of pediatric brain
tumors and almost one-third of all brain tumors in children younger than 3 years. 23 They
are the third most common pediatric brain tumors, after astrocytoma and
medulloblastoma. Fourth ventricle is the most common location accounting for more than
60% cases and is the typical site in children. Most supratentorial ependymomas are extra-
ventricular, arising from the embryonic rest of ependymal tissue. Supratentorial location
is more common in older children and adults with almost half of these being extra-
ventricular. Classic ependymomas are benign low-grade lesions (WHO-II) lesions usually
presenting with cerebellar symptoms along with signs of raised intracranial pressure. The
more aggressive tumor type namely anaplastic ependymomas are WHO grade III lesions
calcification seen in 50% of cases and hemorrhage seen in 10%. Tumor heterogeneity,
hemorrhage, necrosis, cystic changes and calcification are important clues in diagnosis.
On MRI, ependymomas show low T1 signal and appear heterogeneously bright on T2WI
with inhomogeneous contrast enhancement. Most of these tumors show gradient signal
(Fig. 4). The entire neuroaxis should be evaluated to rule out CSf spread, which though
23, 24
less common than medulloblastoma, can be seen in around 5% of cases. Perfusion
images demonstrate markedly elevated cerebral blood volumes with poor return to
baseline. Elevated choline (Cho), lactate, glycine and myoinositol (mI) can be seen with
however not helpful in differentiating this from other posterior fossa tumors. Gross total
Subependymoma
Subependymomas are rare benign WHO grade I tumors arising from the ependymal-glial
precursor cells. These are highly differentiated tumors accounting for 0.2-0.7% of all
intraventricular tumors. These tumors usually present between the fourth and sixth
decades, though few pediatric case have been reported in literature. Majority of these
tumors are located in the fourth ventricle (50-60%) followed by the ventricular margins
neurocytomas can be challenging when these lesions are small and arise from the septum
cases and calcification is seen in around 30% of lesions. They are isointense on T1WI
with bright signal on T2. There is no parenchymal invasion and poor contrast
enhancement (Fig.5a-c). The latter feature can be helpful in demarcating
subependymomas from CN and SEGAs. Unlike ependymomas, these tumors are almost
complete resection.
Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas (SEGAs) are slow growing WHO grade I glial-
neuronal neoplasm, occurring exclusively in patient with Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). They
are seen in 15% of patients with TS and are the most common CNS neoplasms in this
present within the first two decades of life and virtually always at the foramen of Monroe.
These lesions probably arise from the subependymal nodules seen in the ventricular wall
in patients with TS. They are usually diagnosed on the basis of growth on sequential
to grow in size, these are completely benign lesions with no malignant potential.6,8
On CT imaging, SEGAs are seen as isodense intraventricular mass along the foramen of
isointense on T1WI and heterogeneously bright on T2. The calcific component may be
hypo or hyperintense on T1WI. Although SEGAs show robust enhancement, this feature
alone cannot differentiate SEGAs from benign hamartamous nodules in patients with TS.
In general, a size of > 1.3 cm and interval growth on sequential scans favors the diagnosis
of SEGAs (Fig. 6). Surgical resection is usually performed for symptomatic lesions or
lesions with documented growth on serial scans. Annual follow-up MRI should be
Central Neurocytomas (CN) are low grade (WHO-II) lesions arising from progenitor
bipotential cells with capability of differentiating along the glial or neuronal line. They
arise from the subependymal plate along the septum pellucidum or the ventricular
margins. They are seen predominantly in the age group of 20-40 years and constitute
around 0.25-0.5 % of intracranial tumors. Inferior septum pellucidum and the anterior
lateral ventricle are the most common location. Neurocytomas can be extraventricular;
giving the characteristic ―bubbly‖ appearance. On CT, these tumors are hyperdense with
calcification seen in around 50% of cases and hemorrhage seen in few cases. On MR, the
solid components of the tumors are hyperintense on T1 and T2 weighed images. Long TR
sequences show cystic changes in two-thirds of the cases and broad attachment to the
ventricular wall or septum is almost always seen. Moderate enhancement is seen after
contrast administration (Fig. 5d-f). Presence of glycine peak (3.5ppm) has recently been
reported with these tumors, and may be helpful in differentiating it from other
intraventricular neoplasms.6, 26
Secondary Intraventricular tumors
Secondary intraventricular or paraventricular tumors are terms used for tumors arising
from the brain parenchyma with more than two-third growth within the ventricular
lumen. Theoretically, any parenchymal tumor can grow exophytically into the ventricular
lumen; however, this is more common with high grade neoplasm such as Glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM) (Fig. 7). The use of the term secondary intraventricular is becoming
obsolete and though there are case reports of intraventricular GBM in literature, these are
tumor with exophytic growth due to the completely different set of tumor pathology at
these locations. Although this can be challenging at times, a confident diagnosis can
usually be made for most cases, after utilizing the three planes on MRI.27, 28
Non-neoplastic lesions
Besides neoplastic lesions, a number of non-neoplastic ―masses‖ can be seen within the
ventricular system. They can be cystic lesions such as colloid cyst, simple intraventricular
cysts (including arachnoid cysts, ependymal cysts and large choroid plexus cysts) and
29
xanthogranulomas of the choroid (Fig. 8). Congenital lesions like cavum septum
colloid cyst and infective lesions, these lesions are almost always asymptomatic with no
Summary
demographics, tumor location and imaging features, we can substantially narrow down
the list of differentials. Though rare in adults, these tumors are common in the pediatric
age group, especially in infants. Microsurgical resection is the gold standard for treatment
and MRI is the imaging modality of choice for this group of tumors.
References
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Roentgenol. 1991;157:1283-90.
Table-1
Ependymoma Both adults and children , Fourth ventricle in > Tumor heterogeneity,
one-third of all brain 60% cases hemorrhage, necrosis,
tumors in children < 3yrs cyst and calcification
Subependymoma 40-60 years. Fourth ventricle (50- Poorly enhancing,
60%) and lateral calcification in 30%
ventricular margins
or septum (30-40%)
SEGA First two decades of life Virtually always at Robust enhancing lesion
the foramen of seen exclusively in
Monroe patients with Tuberous
sclerosis
Central Predominantly in the age Inferior septum Lobulated enhancing
neurocytoma group of 20-40 years. pellucidum and the mass with ‗bubbly‖
anterior lateral appearance due to
ventricle are the most intratumoral cyst.
common location Glycine peak (3.5 ppm)
Legends
circumscribed lobulated hyperdense mass with calcific foci in the atrium of the right
lateral ventricle. (b) Axial T2WI and contrast-enhanced T1WI (c) shows ―frond like‖
Figure 2: Choroid plexus carcinoma. Two axial FLAIR images (A,B) show a large
infiltrative mass with prominent feeding arteries (seen as prominent flow voids) and
extensive parenchymal edema. Extent of parenchymal edema can be compared with the
prior case of CPP. (C) Post-contrast T1WI image shows avid enhancement of the mass
and areas of parenchymal invasion. (D) MR spectroscopy reveal elevated choline peak,
in the trigone of left lateral ventricle with restricted diffusion (B) and homogenous
contrast enhancement.
mass within the fourth ventricle is seen on the T1 sagittal image with obstructive
hydrocephalus. (B) T2W image shows the complex cystic nature of the mass with
Complex cystic mass noted within the right anterior lateral ventricle attached to the
septum pellucidum. Lesion is barely perceptible on the T2WI (B) with no contrast
T2WI (E) and post contrast (F) images in the second patient with pathologically proven
neurocytomas shows a partially calcific mass attached the septum. However, in contrast
Figure 6: Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma (SEGAs). (A) Axial FLAIR image
shows multiple subcortical and subependymal tubers in this patient with Tuberous
sclerosis complex. (B) Axial post-contrast image (2010) show enhancement of multiple
subependymal tubers. (C)Follow up MRI after 3 years (2013) shows significant interval
growth of the lesion along the foramen Monroe suggesting the diagnosis of SEGA.
Enhancement alone cannot differentiate SEGA from tubers and size >1.3 cm along with
Heterogeneous T2/FLAIR hyperintense mass noted in the right lateral ventricle with
with central necrosis (C, D) and was seen arising from the right thalamus on surgery,
Incidental bilateral xanthogranulomas within the trigone of the lateral ventricle with
restricted diffusion. (B) Smooth walled cystic lesion along the margins of the right lateral
ventricle representing a benign ependymal cyst. (C) Classic location of a colloid cyst