Manifestations of pilocytic astrocytoma: a pictorial review.

BACKGROUND: Pilocytic astrocytoma can be challenging to diagnose.

METHODS: Its clinical presentations can differ, directly related to its size and location, and are relatively unreliable. Similarly, imaging findings also vary with the location of the pilocytic astrocytoma.

RESULTS: This review provides an overview of the different imaging findings regarding pilocytic astrocytomas using both conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences according to tumour location; the findings are strongly related to the tumour's tendency to infiltrate surrounding structures, being able to carry out gross total resection, and finally the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of these imaging manifestations of pilocytic astrocytoma may be helpful to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

TEACHING POINTS: • To recognise the various imaging findings of pilocytic astrocytoma on both conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences. • To identify the characteristic imaging findings according to tumour location. • To discuss the relevant differential diagnoses of pilocytic astrocytoma in each tumour location.