Table 2.

Differential diagnosis table for primary CNS tumor in infants.

Etiology	CT	MRI	Pattern of enhancement
Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma	Large heterogeneous lobar tumor in the supratentorial brain Hyperdense solid component. Calcification not typical.	Commonly with cysts and peritumoral edema. Solid components are T1 and T2 isointense Solid nodule has a broad dural base	Cysts walls may enhance. Solid components enhance intensely. A dural tail may be seen.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (Supratentorial)	Large heterogeneous lobar tumor in the supratentorial brain. Solid components may be hyperdense. Calcification and hemorrhage may be present.	Cystic components are common Less than expected surrounding tumoral edema for size. Diffusion weighted imaging may show decreased diffusion.	Heterogeneous enhancement May have leptomeningeal seeding.
Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (supratentorial)	Large heterogeneous lobar tumor in the supratentorial brain Calcification and possible hemorrhage	T1 and T2 iso to hyperintense depending on hemorrhage. May have areas of central necrosis. Diffusion images may show decreased diffusion.	Heterogeneous enhancement May have leptomeningeal seeding.
Choroid Plexus Carcinoma	Large lobular, heterogeneous tumor primarily centered in the ventricles Hydrocephalus. Calcification can be seen. The tumor is typically iso to hyperdense.	Lobular intraventricular tumor T1 and T2 iso to hypointensity depending on calcification. Periventricular invasion may be seen.	Typically marked contrast enhancement.
Supratentorial Ependymoma	Large heterogeneous lobar tumor in the supratentorial brain Commonly periventricular. Calcification and cystic areas are common. Solid components are iso to hyperdense.	Heterogeneous periventricular tumor with adjacent edema. Solid components are T1 iso to hypointense and T2 iso to hyperintense. Diffusion weighted images may be decreased in anaplastic tumors.	Heterogeneous