MR Findings of Desmoplastic Cerebral Astrocytoma of Infancy

Desmoplastic cerebral astrocytoma of infancy (DCAI) presents as a large supratentorial mass consisting of a central cystic component and an enhancing solid component associated with peripheral dural attachment. We report the unusual MR findings of a DCAI that differed from previously reported cases in terms of the presence of calcification, which is not considered a feature of this tumor, and the absence of an enhancing peripheral dural component. Desmoplastic cerebral astrocytoma of infancy (DCAI) is a rare tumor that occurs in infants within the first 2years of life, and which has a relatively good prognosis after total or near total surgical resection. Microscopically, it appears as a collection of spindle cells embedded in an extremely desmoplastic stroma. Almost all present as a large supratentorial mass with an enhancing solid component and a central cystic component on CT and MR images. In the majority of the reported cases, the enhancing solid components are based on dura mater and calcification is absent (1, 7). We describe unusual MR findings of DCAI with prominent dystrophic calcifications without a peripheral dural-based component.