Skull base: pseudolesion or true lesion?
The skull base is a complex anatomical structure. Therefore, radiologists often use "side-to-side" comparison for detection of abnormalities. This approach is compromised by the high frequency of anatomical variations involving the skull base and the common presence of flow-related artifacts within vessels at the skull base that might mimic true lesions. The spectrum of "pseudolesions" ranging from different anatomical variations, such as unusual arachnoid granulations, asymmetric pneumatization and/or appearance of neurovascular foramina, to flow-related artifacts will be discussed in this review article, and tips for their distinction from a true lesion in a similar location will be given.
Schmalfuss
Ilona M
IM
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Administration, Gainesville, FL, USA. schmai@radiology.ufl.edu
Camp
Morgan
M
D016477:Artifacts; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*