Computed Tomography of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

The primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a neoplasm of young individuals that occurs predominantly in the supratentorial com-partment. It appears on computed tomography as a bulky mass, often with calcification with predominantly homogeneous en-hancement but on occasion with cystic or necrotic areas. Cere-brospinal fluid seeding was observed in more than half the cases in our series. The patients had a short survival period (7-24 months). Despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, further growth of this tumor has not been prevented. In 1973, Hart and Earle [1] described a group of brain tumors with common pathologic and clinical features, which they termed " primitive neuroectodermal tumors. " These are usually found in the cerebrum of children and young adults. They are undifferentiated and show mixed glial and neuronal elements. These tumors may have a variety of names: primary cerebral neuroblastoma, cerebral medulloblastoma, unclassified glioma, or undifferentiated small-cell neoplasm [1 J. This report reviews the computed tomographic (CT) findings of 13 histologically proven primitive neuroectodermal tumors scanned between 1974 and 1982. Our goal was to be able to make a reasonably certain preoperative diagnosis with CT, so that the c linician can know the tumor behavior and its rapid course and, hence, proper and more aggressive therapy may be planned