We aim to review the imaging appearance of peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) of head and neck according to updated fourth edition of World Health Organization classification. Peripheral nerve sheath tumor can be sporadic or associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and schwannomatosis. Schwannoma is the most common benign PNST that can be intracranial or extracranial and appears heterogeneous reflecting its histologic composition. Melanotic schwannoma is a different entity with high prediction of malignancy; it shows hypointense signal on T2-weighted image. Neurofibroma can present by localized, plexiform, or diffuse lesion. It usually appears homogeneous or shows a characteristic target sign. Perineurioma can be intraneural seen with the nerve fiber or extraneural appearing as a mass. Solitary circumscribed neuroma and neurothekeoma commonly present as dermal lesions. Nerve sheath myxoma may exhibit high signal on T1 weighted image. Benign triton tumors can be central, aggressive lesion, or peripheral nonaggressive lesion. Granular cell tumor shows hypointense signal on T2 weighted image. Neuroglial heterotopia most commonly occurs in the nasal cavity. Ectopic meningioma arises from ectopic arachnoid cells in the neck. In hybrid PNST, combined histological features of benign PNST occur in the same lesion. Malignant PNSTs are rare with an aggressive pattern. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are complementary studies to determine the location and extent of the tumor. Advanced magnetic resonance sequences, namely, diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhancement, can help in differentiation of benign from malignant PNST.
In this review, our intension is to present imaging features of several categories of uncommon cases of brain infarctions including infarctions associated with neurovascular variants, infarctions along small arterial territories, and brainstem stroke syndromes. Infarctions associated with neurovascular variants include azygos anterior cerebral artery territory infarction and artery of Percheron infarction. In the second group, we discuss anterior choroidal artery infarction and artery of Heubner infarction. The third group highlights brainstem stroke syndromes, including Claude and Benedikt syndromes due to midbrain infarction; Foville, Marie Foix, and locked-in syndromes due to pontine infarction; and Dejerine (medial medullary), bilateral medial medullary, and Wallenberg (lateral medullary) syndromes.
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of mass effect sign in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).
Methods
This prospective study included 32 ears in 24 patients with chronic otitis media who underwent HRCT of the temporal bone. Otoscopic and operative notes were recorded. Image analysis was done both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the qualitative analysis, mass effect was evaluated visually by comparing both ears together in 4 certain anatomical sites. Ossicular erosions, erosion of tegmen tympani, erosion of tympanic segment of facial nerve canal, and the presence of lobulated nondependent opacity were also evaluated. In the quantitative analysis, we calculated the difference between the distances of the described anatomical sites in both ears.
Results
Qualitative analysis of mass effect sign showed 97.1% accuracy in detecting cholesteatoma. Ossicular erosions showed 69.2% accuracy in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma. In the quantitative analysis, we found that the cutoff point of 0.45 mm in the difference of aditus measure between both ears showed 85.3% accuracy in differentiating cholesteatoma from otitis media. The cutoff point of 0.75 mm in the differences in supratubal measure showed 86.1% accuracy. The cutoff point of 0.45 mm in the medial to incus measure showed 100% accuracy.
Conclusion
High-resolution computed tomography is highly valuable for the detection of mass effect sign, which has great importance in diagnosing cholesteatoma.
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