Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to differentiate between cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas and grade II ependymomas on the basis of their diffusion properties. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study prospectively included 12 patients with pilocytic astrocytomas and 5 with ependymomas. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were compared between tumour types. RESULTS: ADC values were significantly higher in pilocytic astrocytomas than ependymomas, with almost no overlapping of the range of measured ADCs between the two tumour types. CONCLUSIONS: Significant diffusion differences between pilocytic astrocytomas and grade II ependymomas enable their preoperative distinction, in combination with conventional magnetic resonance images.