Imaging of CNS Tumors

This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of the imaging aspects related to CNS tumors. It covers characteristic radiological features, composition features like the presence of fat or calcification, MRI signal intensity, and various enhancement patterns of different extra-axial and intra-axial brain tumors. Furthermore, the chapter delves into tumors presenting as cysts with mural nodules and provides insights into specific tumor types, including glial tumors, oligodendrogliomas, rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors, cerebellopontine angle meningiomas vs. schwannomas, diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumors, sellar/suprasellar tumors, intraventricular tumors, pineal region tumors, supratentorial tumors, posterior fossa tumors, and spinal cord tumors (intramedullary and intradural extramedullary). Additionally, the role of advanced neuroimaging techniques, such MR spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging, and perfusion imaging, are explored. The chapter also differentiates between radiation necrosis and recurrent tumors, offering valuable insights to expand the understanding of CNS tumor imaging.