Soap bubble appearance (DNET)

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 4 Mar 2023

The soap bubble appearance, also known as the bubbly appearance, has been described in dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNET). It describes a multi-loculated pseudocystic appearance of the DNET on T2 weighted images 1,2. These areas show partial suppression on FLAIR and are often associated with a bright rim of high signal (bright rim sign).

This bubbly appearance should not be mistaken for the salt-and-pepper appearance of polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY), due to small distributed calcifications throughout the tumor 2.

Nor should it be confused for the much larger areas of flair suppression seen in some diffuse astrocytomas, the so-called T2/FLAIR mismatch sign.

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.