MRI of ganglioneuroma: histologic correlation study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR findings of ganglioneuroma and to correlate imaging and histologic features.


METHODS
Conventional SE and contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI was used to examine 10 patients with pathologically confirmed ganglioneuroma. The morphologic features, signal intensity, and dynamic enhancement pattern of the tumors were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with histologic features.


RESULTS
Capsules were present in all tumors histologically and were also detected in five tumors on postcontrast T1-weighted images. A whorled appearance corresponding to interlacing bundles of Schwann cells and collagen fibers on histologic specimens was visualized in five tumors on T1-and/or T2-weighted images. Tumors with markedly high signal intensity on T2-weighted images consisted histologically of a large amount of myxoid stroma and relatively few cellular and fibrous components. Tumors with intermediate to high signal intensity consisted of numerous cellular and fibrous components and little myxoid stroma. Early enhancement of tumors was usually lacking in dynamic MR studies; however enhancement gradually increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the MR features of ganglioneuroma are well correlated with histologic findings.
Zhang
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.
Nishimura
H
H
Kato
S
S
Fujimoto
K
K
Ohkuma
K
K
Kojima
K
K
Uchida
M
M
Hayabuchi
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media