Schwannoma of the brachial plexus: cross-sectional imaging diagnosis using CT, sonography, and MR imaging.
Primary brachial plexus tumors are rare, usually benign, and in general have a good prognosis after surgical excision. We present a case of a schwannoma in which sonography enabled the correct diagnosis of a probably benign brachial plexus tumor. Key to the diagnosis was the demonstration of a smooth-bordered, longish, and well-defined nodule along a brachial plexus nerve root. Cross-sectional imaging modalities that provide a high degree of soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution, such as sonography and MR imaging, were suitable methods to establish the correct preoperative diagnosis. Findings at CT, sonography, MR imaging, and surgery are discussed.
Rettenbacher
Thomas
T
Department of Radiology II, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. thomas.rettenbacher@uklibk.ac.at
Sögner
Peter
P
Springer
Peter
P
Fiegl
Michael
M
Hussl
Heribert
H
zur Nedden
Dieter
D
D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography