title: MR imaging of thoracic neurilemmomas.
abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of 15 thoracic neurilemmomas were analyzed. Morphologically, five tumor patterns could be identified on MR imaging including: inhomogeneous masses (n = 8), thick-walled multiloculated masses (n = 2), thick-walled central cystic masses (n = 2), homogeneous cystic masses (n = 2) and a target pattern mass (n = 1). The signal characterization of thoracic neurilemmomas was variable, usually brighter on T2-weighted images, hyper- to hypo-intense on T1-weighted images and always enhancing. Histopathologically, the inhomogeneous masses were characterized by irregular distribution of hypercellular Antoni A and hypocellular Antoni B tissues with variable degrees of cystic, hemorrhagic, myxoid and hyaline degenerative changes. Enlargement of the cystic areas led to the development of thick-walled multiloculated masses while confluence of these cystic areas produced a central cystic pattern. Extensive myxoid or hyaline degeneration yielded homogeneous cystic tumors. Peripheral fibrinous changes and central Antoni B stroma contributed to a target pattern. Appreciation of the protean MR manifestations and understanding of the underlying histopathological changes of thoracic neurilemmomas are helpful in the diagnosis of this tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Chang Gung College of Medicine and Technology, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA