Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Intramedullary Schwannomas.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the magnetic resonance imaging features of intramedullary spinal schwannomas.


METHODS
Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of 8 patients with pathologically confirmed intramedullary schwannomas were reviewed.


RESULTS
There were 6 male and 2 female patients (mean age, 49 years). Tumors were located in the cervical cord (2), the thoracic cord (5), and the cervicothoracic cord (1). Most were in the dorsolateral spinal cord and limited to one side. Expansion of the cord was observed. The majority were hypointense on T1-weighted images and hypo-hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Peritumoral edema was easily found. Gadolinium enhancement was obviously. No recurrence was seen during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
A tumor located in the dorsolateral spinal cord, causing expansion of the cord, with hypointense areas on T2-weighted and obviously enhancement, should arise suspicion of an intramedullary schwannoma.
From the Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Lu
L
Gao
Bing
B
Sun
Fang
F
Han
Yingying
Y
Jin
Jiawen
J
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology