COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING FINDINGS IN PRIMITIVE NEUROECTODERMAL TUMORS IN ADULTS

Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET) are highly malignant, undiffe rentiated supratentorial neoplasms arising from germinal matrix cells of the primitive neural tube. PNET occur primarily in young children; they are extremely rare in adults. PNET frequently seed within the cen tral nervous system and may be multicentric at the time of diagnosis. Previous reports of the neuroradiological findings refer solely to PNE T in children. We describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic r esonance imaging (MRI) appearances in five adult patients with patholo gically proven PNET. In our series, PNET were mostly seen as rather la rge, heterogeneous masses with cystic and necrotic areas, intratumoral haemorrhage and focal calcification. The prominent contrast enhanceme nt on both CT and MRI scans reflects the increased vascularity of PNET .