Purpose or Case Report: Small round blue cell tumors (SRBCT) are a category of malignant tumors that share the characteristic histologic feature of small round undifferentiated cells. These tumors predominantly affect the pediatric population. While SRBCT are similar at the cellular level, their location, imaging characteristics, clinical manifestations, and outcomes are widely variable. The purpose of this educational exhibit is to provide a pictorial review of small round cell blue tumors and to highlight key imaging findings that will aid the radiologist when faced with such tumors.
Methods & Materials: A retrospective review of SRBCT was performed at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. A series of cases with pathologically confirmed SRBCT were collected for review and presentation.
Results: A multimodality approach including radiographs, CT, MRI, and nuclear scintigraphy is used to illustrate key imaging features of the various SRBCT. Cases to be presented include: medulloblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pineoblastoma, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, Wilm’s tumor, hepatoblastoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and desmoplastic small round blue cell tumor. Clinical manifestations, distinguishing imaging characterstics, metastatic patterns, prognosis, and treatment will be discussed for each tumor.
Conclusions: Small round blue cell tumors encompass a wide variety of malignant tumors that have a similar histologic appearance. It is critical for the radiologist to be able to identify the imaging features of these tumors to aid in prompt diagnosis and proper treatment.