Female, 8 years old, with neurofibromatosis type I who is having signs of premature puberty and vomiting. Assess for any evidence of a hypothalamic tumor or hydrocephalus. An oval, nonenhancing focus of T2 hyperintensity is seen within the right globus pallidus. The lesion exerts no mass effect but does closely approach the right hypothalamus. A smaller but otherwise similar-appearing lesion is seen within the left globus pallidus.The hypothalamic tissues are otherwise unremarkable. Likewise, the pituitary gland shows normal size and morphology on this non-dedicated examination. Brain parenchymal morphology is within normal limits and no other areas of pathologic signal abnormality are seen. No abnormal intracranial enhancement is observed. The ventricular system is normal in size and morphology. No definite optic pathway lesions are seen on this non-dedicated examination.
Nonenhancing T2 hyperintense lesions are seen within the globus pallidus bilaterally compatible with foci of abnormal signal intensity (FASI) characteristic of NF1. The lesion on the right does approach the hypothalamic region. The pituitary is unremarkable and the ventricles are not dilated.