Neuroradiologic characteristics of astroblastoma and systematic review of the literature: 2 new cases and 125 cases reported in 59 publications

Abstract

Astroblastomas occur most often in adolescent girls. Imaging often shows a supratentorial, superficial, well-defined, cystic-solid enhancing mass. On CT, most are hyperattenuated, have calcifications, and may remodel adjacent bone if superficial. MRI characteristically reveals a hypointense mass on T1-W and T2-W sequences with restricted diffusion. MR spectroscopy, PET and catheter angiography findings are nonspecific.

Astroblastoma in a Young Female Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review of Clinicopathological, Radiological and Prognostic Characteristics and Current Treatment Strategies

“…Previously, characterization of astroblastoma tumors on cranial CT has been linked to radiological features such as isodense or slightly hyper-attenuated signal to the brain parenchyma and heterogeneous enhancement with contrast administration (particularly for the solid component of the tumor) [ 5 7 8 9 10 ]. Calcifications are typically described as punctate on CT [ 7 11 ].…”

“…The cystic component demonstrate rim enhancement. Tumor associated vasogenic edema may also be present [ 5 7 8 9 10 ]. The histopathological features of astroblastoma include perivascular arrangement of neoplastic cells having thick, stout and short cytoplasmic processes with peripheral nuclei, forming pseudorosettes giving the characteristic “cartwheel” appearance [ 4 5 6 11 12 13 14 ].…”

Co‐occurrence of astrocytoma and astroblastoma: Case report and literature review

“…In contrast to astrocytomas, astroblastomas are a rare type of brain tumors . They are aggressive neuroepithelial glial tumors, commonly occurring in young women with a median overall survival of 55 months …”

“…They demonstrate heterogeneous contrast enhancement on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but are generally well‐circumscribed on MRI with solid and cystic components evident in the tumor bed . Peritumoral edema, although often minimal, can be identified on MRI and accompanies astroblastoma in 80% of cases . Tumor calcifications are evident on computed tomography (CT) in 73% of cases .…”

“…Peritumoral edema, although often minimal, can be identified on MRI and accompanies astroblastoma in 80% of cases . Tumor calcifications are evident on computed tomography (CT) in 73% of cases . The clinical features of astroblastoma are known to overlap with other cranial neoplasms such as astrocytomas and ependymomas .…”