Figure 1: T1 MRI sequence showing isodense mass as shown by the arrows.
(Click to enlarge picture)
Figure 2: T2 MRI sequence showing hyperintense mass as indicated by the arrow. (Click to enlarge picture)
IMAGE OF THE WEEK 2012
WEEK 23
Vestibular Schwannoma (aka acoustic neuroma)
|
|
|
|
Figure 1: T1 MRI sequence showing isodense mass as shown by the arrows. (Click to enlarge picture) |
Figure 2: T2 MRI sequence showing hyperintense mass as indicated by the arrow. (Click to enlarge picture) |
MRI study, including 3D volume acquisition of the IAM’s demonstrates a mass in the right cerebellopontine angle, arising from vestibular nerve branch of the vestibulocochlear (8th) nerve, extending into the internal auditory canal. The mass is isodense to the brain on T1 (Figure 1) and hyperintense on T2 sequences (Figure 2) with homogenous avid enhancement post contrast (Figure 3).
|
|
|
|
Figure 3: T2 MRI sequence with homogenous avid enhancement post contrast as shown by the arrow. (Click to enlarge picture) |
Figure 4: T2 MRI sequence showing ice cream cone mass with homogenous avid enhancement post contrast as indicated by the arrow. (Click to enlarge picture) |
The configuration of the mass is of an ‘ice cream’ cone (Figure 4).
Vestibular schwannoma is a benign tumour of glial cell origin.
It most commonly arises from the vestibular branch of the 8th cranial nerve.
It is a cause of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in adults.
If bilateral, the patient most likely has neurofibromatosis Type 2.
Important other masses occurring at the CP angle, include epidermoid cyst, pseudotumour, metastases and lymphoma.
Images and text contributed and prepared by
Dr Ian Bickle, Department of Radiology,
All images are copyrighted and property of RIPAS Hospital.
