Association of CT and MRI Manifestations with Pathology in Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the CT, MRI and pathological features of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET). METHODS: The CT and MRI features of six cases of pathologically confirmed DNET were retrospectively analyzed and compared with pathology. RESULTS: All six cases of DNET were solitary, and lesion in one case was located in the right parietal lobe, one case in the right frontal lobe, one case in the cerebellar vermis, one case in the right temporo-parietal occipital lobe, one case in the left basal ganglia, and one case in the pineal gland. CT and MRI showed cystic solid tumor in all six cases, of which four showed calcification. In CT images, the cystic components appeared low-density, solid nodules, septa, and cyst walls were slightly high-density, and calcifications were high-density. In MRI images, the cystic components were hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI, solid nodules, septa and cyst walls were iso-intense or slightly hyperintense on T1WI and T2WI sequences, and calcifications were all hypointense. On enhanced scan, the cystic components were not enhanced, and the solid nodules, septa, and cyst walls were inhomogeneously enhanced. CONCLUSION: The imaging manifestations of DNET are characteristic, and the combination of clinical and imaging features can greatly improve diagnostic accuracy.