Cystic Brain Masses

Differential Diagnosis:

• Non-Neoplastic
  • Exactly follows CSF signal: Enlarged perivascular space, encephalomalacia, porencephalic cyst, neuroglial cyst.
  • Infection: Neurocysticercosis, abscess
  • Resolving hematoma: May have peripheral enhancement in the subacute phase
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Epidermoid/dermoid cyst
• Neoplastic
  • Ganglioglioma: Well-circumscribed cystic lesion with nodule and minimal edema.
  • DNET: Look for "bubbly" appearance on MRI
  • Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: Look for a cortically based nodule
  • Pilocytic astrocytoma: Well-circumscribed cystic lesion with nodule and minimal edema. Most commonly seen in children and in the cerebellum.
  • Hemangioblastoma: Posterior fossa mass.
  • Glioblastoma multiforme
  • Metastases
  • Cystic meningioma
  • Ependymoma