title: [Tumors of peripheral nerves].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Differentiation between malignant and benign tumors of peripheral nerves in the early stages is challenging; however, due to the unfavorable prognosis of malignant tumors early identification is required.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To show the possibilities for detection, differential diagnosis and clinical management of peripheral nerve tumors by imaging appearance in magnetic resonance (MR) neurography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of current literature available in PubMed and MEDLINE, supplemented by the authors' own observations in clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although not pathognomonic, several imaging features have been reported for a differentiation between distinct peripheral nerve tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of MR neurography enables detection and initial differential diagnosis in tumors of peripheral nerves. Furthermore, it plays an important role in clinical follow-up, targeted biopsy and surgical planning.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Zürich, Rämistraße 100, 8091, Zürich, Schweiz. michael.ho@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Amelie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lutz
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Imaging features; MR neurography; Nerve sheath tumors; Neurofibromatosis; Soft tissue neoplasms