MR appearance of paraganglioma of the cauda equina. Case reports.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of MR imaging for preoperative diagnosis of paraganglioma of the cauda equina.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 2 cases of paraganglioma of the cauda equina examined with MR imaging was undertaken. Features assessed included the homogeneity of the lesions, presence or absence of serpiginous flow void and thin hypointense margins.


RESULTS
In case 1, the tumor was hyperintense on the postcontrast examination and serpiginous flow void suggested vessels in the upper pole of the tumor. In case 2, the tumor was encapsulated by a thin hypointense margin on both T1- and T2-weighted images, which suggested hemosiderin.


CONCLUSIONS
The MR appearance may be of great value in the preoperative diagnosis of paraganglioma of the cauda equina.
Taira
H
H
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Oita Medical University, Oita-gun, Japan.
Takasita
M
M
Yoshida
S
S
Takita
C
C
Tsumura
H
H
Torisu
T
T
D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010236:Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology