Spinal Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor: Use of Diffusion – Weighted Imaging for Diagnosis

Spinal atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare, aggressive malignant central nervous system neoplasm usually seen in young children and infants. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings vary in spinal AT/RT. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements may aid in the assessment of intratumoral characteristics. In spinal AT/RT, high signal on DWI and low ADC can correspond to a high cellularity, indicating a highly malignant tumor.