Differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumours in children: new insights

Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Dec;48(13):1955-1963. doi: 10.1007/s00247-018-4224-7. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Abstract

Central nervous system neoplasms are the most common solid tumours that develop in children, with the greatest proportion located in the infratentorium. The 2016 World Health Organization Central Nervous System tumour classification evolved from the 2007 edition with the integration of molecular and genetic profiling into the diagnosis, the addition of new entities and the removal of others. Radiology can assist with the subtyping of tumours from certain characteristics described below to provide prognostic information and guide further management. The latest insights into the radiologic characteristics of these posterior fossa tumours are presented below: medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, embryonal tumours with multilayered rosettes, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours, diffuse midline glioma and the new entity of diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumours.

Keywords: Brain; Children; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neoplasm; Posterior fossa.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Prognosis