MRI features of peripheral neurogenic tumors.

This poster is published under an open license. Please read the disclaimer for further details.

Congress:

ECR 2017

Poster Number:

C-1153

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Education and training, Diagnostic procedure, MR, Neuroradiology peripheral nerve, Musculoskeletal soft tissue, Extremities

Authors:

M. J. García Ortega, D. Dunlop, A. Benito Ysamat, I. D. Domínguez Paillacho, R. Montero Perez-Barquero; Córdoba/ES

DOI:

10.1594/ecr2017/C-1153

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/ecr2017/C-1153

Fig. 1: Neurofibroma of the ulnar nerve.

Fig. 2: Schwannoma of the ulnar nerve. Split fat sign.

Fig. 3: Schwannoma of the ulnar nerve. Fascicular sign.

Fig. 4: Encapsulated schwannomas.

Learning objectives

- To review the morphological and signal-intensity characteristics on MRI of peripheral neurogenic tumors. - To describe the MR findings that allows their classification with pathological correlation.

Background

Benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath can be classified into two main groups: Schwannomas (neurilemoma) and Neurofibromas. Treatment of these tumors varies depending on the symptomatology. Schwannomas grow eccentrically from the nerve, because they have a capsule that facilitates their surgical excision, preserving the affected nerve. In the other hand, localized neurofibromas tends to grow intraneurally, so complete excision is not possible and the nerve must removed as well. Radiological differentiation between neurofibroma and schwannoma may help the surgeon to plan the intervention and...

Findings and procedure details

We searched our hospital’s database for cases from the last 5 years, with a confirmed neurogenic tumor diagnosis, describing their MR imaging features. We correlated them with the tumor pathology analysis. - Schwannomas. Schwannomas or neurilemomas stands for approximately 5% of benign soft tissue tumors. They have a predilection for sensory nerves. They are usually slow growth tumors, presenting as a 5 cm or less painless mass. Commonly, only the larger ones are symptomatic, due to direct nerve compression. These tumors have a capsule made...

Conclusion

MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis and characterization of peripheral neurogenic tumors. It also allows the radiologist to suspect malignancy based on suggestive imaging findings, conditioning a suitable preoperative surgical approach to each kind of tumor.

Personal information

References

1. Jee WH, Oh SN, McCauley T. et al. Extraaxial neurofibromas versus neurilemmomas. Discrimination with MRI. AJR 2004; 183, 629-633. 2. Van Herendael BH, Heyman SRG, Vanhoenacker FM et al. The value of magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation between malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors and non-neurogenic malignant soft-tissue tumors. Skeletal Radiol (2006); 35: 745-753. 3. Lin J, Martel W. Cross-Sectional imaging of peripheral nerve sheath tumors: Characteristic signs on CT, MR imaging and sonography. AJR 2001; 176:75-82 4. Beaman FD,Krnsdorf MJ, Menke DM. Schwannoma: Radiologic-Pathologic...