Imaging of acoustic neuromas.
A negative high-quality, high-resolution, contrast-enhanced MRI scan is excellent evidence that a patient does not have an AN. Most nerve sheath tumors have a characteristic appearance, and when a tumor is detected there is seldom any doubt as to the identity of the lesion. There are other causes of enhancement, however, or of high signal that can be mistaken for an AN, and these must be kept in mind when a case is considered positive. In some cases, it may be appropriate to defer surgery to clarify a questionable finding by obtaining a follow-up scan. CT is still a reliable examination. In addition to evaluating the IAC, valuable information about the architecture of the petrous bone and labyrinth is provided. Improvements in imaging technology are occurring at a rapid rate. Thinner slices and more rapid scan techniques will make MRI even more useful in evaluation of the IAC.
Curtin
H D
HD
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
Hirsch
W L
WL
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed