颅底胆脂瘤的MRI特征

目的探讨颅底胆脂瘤MRI分型的意义及其MRI诊断特征。方法观察15例颅底胆脂瘤的CT、MRI与病理学资料，根据肿瘤T1WI信号的不同，将颅底胆脂瘤分为Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型，分析两型胆脂瘤在CT、MRI征象和颅底骨质侵犯等方面的差异。结果15例颅底胆脂瘤T2WI显著高信号，肿瘤实质无强化。15例中，Ⅰ型，6例，肿瘤位于桥前池和桥小脑角区，CT均匀低密度，T1WI均匀低信号，包膜不强化，颅底骨质改变轻微，肿瘤实质为胆固醇结晶；Ⅱ型，9例，肿瘤位于一侧中、后颅窝底，CT呈混杂密度，T1WI呈混杂信号，其中4例为低信号中夹杂少量高信号，另5例以高信号为主，包膜强化，颅底骨质呈显著外压性改变，肿瘤实质为角化上皮和蛋白。结论颅底胆脂瘤分为Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型是合理的，体现了两型颅底胆脂瘤组织病理和生物学行为的差异，对指导MRI诊断有积极意义。T1WI信号多样性、T1WI显著高信号、肿瘤实质不强化以及与MRI分型相关的颅底骨质侵犯是颅底胆脂瘤的MRI诊断特征。

Magnetic resonance imaging characteristic of cholesteatoma of the skull base

Objective To evaluate the value of MRI categorization of cholesteatoma of the skull base (CSB) and its MRI diagnostic characteristic Methods The CT, MRI and pathological data of 15 patients with CSB were reviewed The CSBs were categorized into type I and type II based on the difference of signal intensity on T 1 weighted image, and the differences between the two types of CSB were compared in the aspects of CT and MRI findings and osseous encroachment of the skull base Results Extremely high signal intensity on T 2 weighted image being similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid, and unenhanced tumor parenchyma on enhanced T 1 weighted image were noted in the 15 cases of CSB Of the 15 CSBs, 6 were categorized as type I and the other 9 as type II on the basis of the difference of the signal intensity on T 1 weighted image The 6 CSBs of type I, located in the prepontine and cerebellopontine angle cisterns, appeared as homogeneous hypoattenuating on CT scan and homogeneously decreased signal intensity on T 1 weighted image coupled with unenhanced tumoral capsule and relatively normal skull base The tumor parenchyma of this type was consisted of homogeneous cholesterol crystal The 9 CSBs of type II, located in unilateral floor of middle or posterior cranial fossa, were demonstrated as mixed density on CT scan and mixed signal intensity on T 1 weighted image, of which 4 presented as decreased signal intensity scattered with increased signal intensity, 5 largely as increased signal intensity The 9 cases were noted with enhanced tumoral capsule and marked osseous encroachment of the skull base, and the parenchyma of which was mainly comprised of keratinized epithelia and proteins Conclusion The categorization of CSB into type I and type II is sensible, which reflects the distinction in both histopathology and biological behaviour between the two types of CSB and plays an important role in guiding MRI diagnosis of CSB The MRI diagnostic characteristic of CSB includes the versatile signal intensity on T 1 weighted image, marked increased signal intensity on T 2 weighted image, unenhanced tumor parenchyma and type related osseous encroachment of the skull base