Extra‐Axial Tumors
1New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
2Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA
Abstract
Extra-axial tumors most commonly arise from the meninges, calvarium, or skull base. Localization of a lesion as extra-axial or extra-cerebral in origin has significant clinical importance in terms of treatment planning and predicting prognosis. High-resolution fat-suppressed imaging is crucial for specific evaluation of the skull base, and correlation with computed tomography (CT) is often helpful in these cases. This unit presents basic MRI protocols for imaging extra-axial tumors in specific locations; sequence modifications are discussed where necessary. The sequences described in this unit are based on a 1.5 T scanner (GE Medical Systems), but can be expected to be equally applicable to other field strengths and scanners from other manufacturers.
Table of Contents
- Unit Introduction
- Basic Protocol: Rule out (R/O) Extra-Axial Tumor
- Alternate Protocol 1: Meningioma
- Alternate Protocol 2: Nerve Sheath TumorsE.G., Acoustic Neuroma
- Alternate Protocol 3: Pituitary/Sella Turcica Masses
- Alternate Protocol 4: Arachnoid cyst
- Alternate Protocol 5: Epidermoid/Dermoid
- Alternate Protocol 6: Chondrosarcoma/Chordoma
- Commentary
- Literature Cited
- Tables
Materials
Basic Protocol: Rule out (R/O) Extra-Axial Tumor
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Intravenous contrast agent (e.g., Magnevist, Omniscan, Prohance)
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Normal saline (0.9% NaCl), sterile
Literature Cited
| Literature Cited | |
| Beneviste, H., Hedlund, L., and Johnson, G. 1992. Mechanism of detection of acute cerebral ischemia in rats by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance microscopy. Stroke 23:746-754. | |
| Shellock, F.G. 1996. Pocket Guide to MR Procedures and Metallic Objects. (F.G. Shellock, ed.). Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia. | |
| Singer, M.B., Atlas, S.W., and Drayer, B.P. 1998. Subarachnoid space disease: Diagnosis with fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR imaging and comparison with gadolinium-enhanced spin echo MR imaging-blinded reader study. Radiology 208:417-422. | |
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