MR Imaging Findings of Gliosarcoma: Report of Three Cases

ABSTRACT

Gliosarcoma is a rare primary brain tumor composed of neoplastic glial cells and a sareomatous spindle-cell element. We report three cases of gliosarcoma, and describe their MR findings, which in many respects are very similar to those of malignant astrocytomas. Gliosarcomas are, however, more peripherally located, abutting and/or invading the dura mater, and at T2-weighted imaging their signal intensity is lower than is usually the case with malignant astrocyomas. Despite its rarity, the possibility of gliosarcoma should be considered when MR findings of this nature are apparent.