颅内表皮样囊肿的CT、MRI诊断

目的　分析颅内表皮样囊肿的CT、MRI表现。方法　对 18例经手术、病理证实的颅内表皮样囊肿的CT、MRI表现作了回顾性分析。 18例表皮样囊肿均作了MRI平扫和增强扫描 ,其中 12例还作了CT平扫检查。对肿瘤发生部位、大小、形态、CT密度、MRI增强前后的信号强度以及邻近结构的改变作了观察。结果　肿瘤位于桥小脑角区 10例 ,鞍上或鞍旁 3例 ,松果体区和第四脑室内各 2例 ,小脑延髓池 1例。肿瘤大小不等 ,形态多呈不规则形 ,轮廓光整或呈分叶状。CT平扫 10例呈均匀低密度 ,2例呈稍不均匀的低密度 ,CT值在 -15～ 10HU之间。在MRT1WI图像上肿瘤呈不均匀的低信号 ,在T2 WI、FLAIR图像上均呈不均匀的高信号。增强后除 1例肿瘤边缘似有轻微强化外 ,其余肿瘤均无明显的强化。结论　典型的颅内表皮样囊肿的CT、MRI表现较具特征性 ,通过CT、MRI检查可以作出准确诊断 ,并能与其他类似的颅内病变鉴别     

MR imaging of intracranial epidermoid tumors: specific diagnosis with Turbo-FLAIR pulse sequence.

The purpose of this study is to present the imaging findings with particular reference to the FLAIR magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence, of four patients with epidermoid cysts. In all cases CT showed hypodense lesions with stippled peripheral calcifications and no enhancement. The MR showed low signal intensity lesions in T1-weighted images, high signal intensity in T2-weighted lesions, no or minor enhancement after gadolinium administration and characteristic heterogeneous appearance in FLAIR images. Including the FLAIR sequence in MR imaging, a specific diagnosis can be suggested.     

Rathke cleft cysts: CT, MR imaging, and pathologic features

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in seven patients with pathologically proved Rathke cleft cysts. All the cysts were located in the anterior sella turcica or the anterior suprasellar cistern. Five cysts had both intra- and suprasellar components, one was entirely intrasellar, and the other was predominantly suprasellar in location. The size of the cysts ranged from 8 to 20 mm. CT scans demonstrated low-density homogeneous lesions in four cases. On MR images of three of these four cases, the cysts had the same intensity as cerebrospinal fluid on T1- and T2-weighted images, while in the fourth case, the cyst was hyperintense on the T1-weighted images. In the remaining three cases, CT showed slight hyperdensity relative to brain parenchyma, suggestive of contrast enhancement. MR showed signal heterogeneity of these lesions with focal components of diminished signal intensity of T2-weighted images. These same foci appeared iso- to slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images.     

MR扩散加权成像对颅内囊性肿块的鉴别诊断价值

目的 :探讨MR扩散加权成像对颅内囊性肿块的鉴别诊断价值。方法 :搜集有手术病理结果的患者 3 1例 ,其中表皮样囊肿 9例 ,蛛网膜囊肿 15例 ,囊性颅咽管瘤 4例 ,颅底囊性变神经鞘瘤 3例。所有病例均行MR常规T1WI、T2 WI及DWI扫描 ,回顾性分析各组病例的MR常规及扩散加权成像表现。结果 :在MR扩散加权图像上 ,所有 7例表皮样囊肿均为显著高信号 ,而在指数扩散加权像及ADC图上为等信号 ;其余病变在扩散加权图像上为低信号或伴等信号。结论 :MR扩散加权成像有助于表皮样囊肿与其它颅内脑外囊性肿块的鉴别 ,表皮样囊肿的扩散加权高信号主要是由“T2余辉效应”而非水分子扩散受限所致。     

Cysts of the prostate and seminal vesicles: MR imaging findings in 11 cases

Cysts of the prostate and seminal vesicles are confusing abnormalities because they are uncommon and their origin is uncertain. Several approaches to diagnosis have been used, most recently CT and transrectal sonography. In this study, we investigated the value of MR imaging in the diagnosis of six cases of prostatic cyst and five cases of cysts of the seminal vesicles. All patients were symptomatic. T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images were obtained in all cases; pathologic confirmation was available in four patients. MR images were analyzed prospectively without knowledge of clinical data or the results of other imaging procedures. In all cases, low- and high-signal masses were observed on T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively. The cysts were unilocular with a sharply defined margin, ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 cm in diameter. The thin wall was of low signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Our experience suggests that MR imaging is useful in demonstrating the liquid content of prostatic and seminal-vesicle cysts and in establishing their size and location.     

卵巢表皮样囊肿的影像学表现(附2例报告并文献复习)

目的 探讨卵巢表皮样囊肿的影像学表现.资料与方法 回顾性分析2例经病理证实的卵巢表皮样囊肿的CT、MRI表现.结果 卵巢表皮样囊肿CT表现为囊性占位,囊液大部分均匀,水样密度,囊壁光整.MRI表现为囊液T1WI低信号,T2WI高信号,囊内见不定形团块状、云絮状及结节状无强化角化物,囊壁可强化,囊液无强化.CT及MRI均显示囊壁有局部增厚.结论 卵巢表皮样囊肿的影像学表现有一定的特征性,认识其表现有助于对该病的诊断.     

Colloid Cysts of the Third Ventricle: Are MR Imaging Patterns Predictive of Difficulty with Percutaneous Treatment?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are rare benign brain tumors. The purpose of this study was to correlate their patterns on MR images with the probability of success of percutaneous treatment. METHODS: Nineteen patients underwent endoscopic treatment for colloid cysts of the third ventricle. The cases were divided into two groups based on difficulty of the aspiration procedure. We reviewed CT scans and MR images and divided cysts into groups based on their signal intensity on the MR images and their density on CT scans. Intensity and density were correlated with difficulty of aspiration during the endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: The aspiration procedure was difficult in 63% of the cases. Eighty-nine percent of hyperdense cysts on unenhanced axial CT scans were categorized as difficult, and 75% of hypodense cysts were categorized as easy. On T2-weighted MR sequences, 100% of low-signal cyst contents were difficult and nearly 63% of high-signal lesions were easy. There was a significant correlation between the T2-weighted sequences and the CT scans regarding the difficulty of the aspiration procedure. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted MR sequences are useful for predicting difficulty of aspiration during stereotactic or endoscopic procedures. A T2-weighted low-signal cyst is correlated with high-viscosity intracystic contents.     

MR imaging of primary epidermoid tumors

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of five primary intradural epidermoid tumors are described. At 0.35 T, the most consistent finding on spin echo imaging was a tumor signal intensity that differed from brain and CSF. On T1-weighted images [repetition time (TR) 0.5 s, echo time (TE) 30-40 ms] all tumors exhibited a signal intensity intermediate between brain and CSF. On moderately T2-weighted images (TR 2.0 ms, TE 60-80 ms) the tumor signal intensity was greater than brain and CSF in all cases. The tumor signal consistency was mixed in four of five lesions and homogeneous in one. The tumor margins were well defined in all cases; in three cases the tumor margins were irregular, in one case smooth, and in the last case, one margin was irregular and the remaining margins were smooth. These findings are contrasted with the MR appearance of arachnoid cysts. Using identical imaging factors, four arachnoid cysts were studied and exhibited a homogeneous signal intensity that was identical to CSF on all pulse sequences; their margins were smooth and well defined in each case. These MR findings contribute to the characterization of extraaxial lesions.     

Rathke cleft cysts: correlation of enhanced MR and surgical findings.

PURPOSETo describe the gadolinium-enhanced MR findings of Rathke cleft cyst correlate them with the surgical findings, and define those preoperative findings that differentiate this lesion from other sellar and juxtasellar tumors.METHODSWe studied 18 patients who were diagnosed as having Rathke cleft cyst pathologically. These patients were imaged with T1- and T2-weighted coronal and sagittal spin-echo sequences. Fifteen of these patients received gadopentetate dimeglumine.RESULTSIn eight patients, the cyst showed low intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images. At surgery, the cyst fluid was cerebrospinal fluid-like or light brown in five patients, motor oil-like in one patient, and milky in two patients. In 10 patients, cysts showed isointensity to high intensity on T1-weighted images and had various intensity on T2-weighted images. All 10 contained milky fluid. In three patients the intensity of fluid was heterogeneous. A waxy nodule was found in two patients. The position of the normal pituitary gland confirmed by surgery in all cases coincided with enhancement on MR imaging. The variable position of the normal pituitary gland was clearly identified in the sagittal images. The cyst walls showed no enhancement by gadopentetate dimeglumine.CONCLUSIONSBecause Rathke cleft cysts show variable intensities on MR, the diagnosis is often difficult when based on MR signal intensity values alone. MR imaging with gadopentetate dimeglumine does assist in the diagnosis of Rathke cleft cysts. Diagnostic clues include the lack of cyst wall enhancement and displacement of the normal pituitary gland.     

Diagnosis of ruptured intracranial dermoid cyst: value MR over CT

The CT and MR findings of seven patients with pathologically proved ruptured dermoid cysts were reviewed to analyze the MR characteristics and to see if MR evaluation had significant advantages over CT. In six cases, both CT and MR identified fatty material in the CSF spaces. Hemorrhage complicated preoperative diagnosis in one case. Patterns of extraaxial fat distribution were as follows: intraventricular fat/CSF levels (three patients), generalized subarachnoid spread (six patients), and localized subarachnoid spread with sulcal widening (one patient). There was no correlation between fat distribution and clinical symptoms. MR showed the vascular involvement better than CT did in five of seven cases, and showed extension of the cysts into the skull base in two cases. Signal intensity of the solid mass was low on T1-weighted MR images and inhomogeneously high on T2-weighted images, which correlated pathologically with the presence of crystal cholesterol, hair, sebaceous glands, and epithelial cells in all cases. On MR, brain parenchyma showed little edema or other reaction to the masses, which were typically large. The value of MR over CT in the examination of ruptured dermoid cysts is the conspicuity of the extent of subarachnoid spread, involvement of the extraaxial structures, and evidence of vascular compromise, which can obviate angiography. MR had no advantage over CT in making the initial diagnosis of ruptured dermoid, but it would be the preferred preoperative study.     

Intradiploic epidermoid cyst: Report of two cases with typical CT and MR imaging features

We studied 2 patients with large expansive and osteolytic lesions of the skull on CT, with characteristics suggestive of intradiploic epidermoid cysts. It was the purpose of our work to study the MR-imaging characteristic of these lesions. Both lesions proved to have the same MR-imaging characteristic than epidermoid cysts elsewhere in the intracranial compartment. The lesions were inhomogeneously hypointense on T1-weighted images, inhomogeneously hyperintense on T2-weighted images and on FLAIR, without signal attenuation. The signal intensity was high on diffusion-weighted images reflecting diffusion restriction in one patient with low ADC-value and a factor T2-shine through in the other patient with an intermediate ADC-value. The behaviour of the lesion on a CISS sequence, performed in one patient was also similar to other epidermoid cysts, but this proved less relevant at this location.     

Cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex: MR and CT evaluation

We reviewed the clinical, CT, and MR findings in seven consecutive patients who had a total of nine cholesterol granulomas. Preoperative MR scans were available for five of the seven patients; two patients were studied with MR after treatment only (one had a recurrent lesion and the other was asymptomatic at the time of study). Preoperative CT scans were available for all patients, except one patient who was examined after developing a symptomatic recurrence. All lesions were detected by both imaging methods. Seven preoperative lesions (five patients) and one symptomatic recurrence (one patient) demonstrated increased signal intensity of both T1- and T2-weighted MR images. Three surgically drained lesions (three patients) showed a marked reduction in signal intensity on T1-weighted images. Pre- and postoperative lesions had different patterns of signal intensity on the chemical-shift images, which were obtained in two instances. The MR appearance of cholesterol granuloma differs from that of most other lesions that occur in the petrous apex. CT did not differentiate between pre- and postoperative lesions in all cases, while MR demonstrated a dramatic change on T1-weighted images and chemical-shift studies. Our findings indicate that MR is more specific than CT in suggesting the correct diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma and that MR appears to be the technique of choice in the follow-up of previously treated patients.     

Fibrosing inflammatory pseudotumors involving the skull base: MR and CT manifestations with histopathologic comparison.

PURPOSETo describe the MR and CT features of fibrosing inflammatory pseudotumors of the skull base region, and to document the MR signal intensity of the lesions with histopathologic comparison.METHODSWe reviewed the MR and CT studies of five patients with pathologically proved fibrosing inflammatory pseudotumor involving the skull base. Unenhanced spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images were obtained at 0.5 T in three patients and at 1.5 T in two patients. MR findings were correlated with histopathologic findings in all five cases, and the enhancement pattern was compared with CT findings in three cases.RESULTSIn three cases, the cavernous sinus was involved unilaterally, with adjacent extracranial infiltrative masses. In one case, both orbits, the cavernous sinuses, and the tentorium were involved with diffuse infiltrative lesions. One patient had an infiltrative nasopharyngeal mass; and in all five patients, MR images showed localized involvement of the skull base, with bone marrow replaced by tumor. The soft-tissue lesions were hypointense on T2-weighted images in all five cases and showed homogeneous contrast enhancement. Histopathologic studies revealed scanty inflammatory cell infiltration with densely fibrotic background in all cases. The hypointensity of the lesions on T2-weighted images seemed to be related to the degree of fibrosis.CONCLUSIONFibrosing inflammatory pseudotumor shows characteristic MR findings of infiltrative lesion with bone destruction and hypointensity on T2-weighted images. The lack of mobile protons due to the fibrotic background and/or high cellularity of the lesions may be the reason for their hypointensity and weaker enhancement on MR images.     

Congenital cholesteatoma of the temporal bone: MR findings and comparison with CT.

PURPOSETo describe the MR findings of temporal bone congenital cholesteatoma and MR usefulness in preoperative diagnosis and follow-up, in comparison with CT.METHODSSeven patients underwent CT and MR studies for facial palsy (n = 3), deafness (n = 3), vertigo (n = 1), tinnitus (n = 1), and otalgia (n = 1). Three patients had for congenital cholesteatoma previously undergone surgery. One of them was free of symptoms and referred for follow-up. Final diagnosis was obtained from surgical data in all the cases but one.RESULTSCongenital cholesteatoma signal intensity was low or intermediate on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images in all the cases. MR was useful in diagnosis in six cases, helping to differentiate congenital cholesteatoma from other nonenhancing tumors. When temporal bone wall erosion was observed with CT (n = 6), MR ruled out intracranial extension in five cases; in one case, MR found an associated epidermoid cyst of the cerebellopontine angle not identified with CT. However, CT assessed relationships with labyrinthine structures more easily.CONCLUSIONMR and CT are complementary in initial diagnosis and follow-up.     

Germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus: MR and CT evaluation.

PURPOSETo describe MR and CT features of germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus and to discuss the roles of each modality for its diagnosis.METHODSMR and CT studies of six cases of germinomas, five of which were histologically proved, were retrospectively reviewed. T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted conventional spin-echo images, and unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT images were evaluated.RESULTSTypically, the tumor consisted of an irregular solid area with contrast enhancement and various-size cysts. Cystic components were found in five cases and calcification in four. Intratumoral hemorrhage was noted in one. Ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy and brain stem hemiatrophy were noted in three cases each. MR was superior to CT in evaluating precise tumor extension, cystic components, and intratumoral hemorrhage, although in one case, extension of the tumor was better defined on CT in its early stage. Calcification was difficult to identify by MR alone. The solid components of the tumors generally showed slightly high density on CT, which seemed to be characteristic compared with nonspecific intensity pattern on MR.CONCLUSIONThe combination of CT and MR findings allows early detection and appropriate diagnosis of the mass in the basal ganglia and/or thalamus.     

Rathke cleft cyst: MR and biomedical analysis of cyst content

PURPOSE: At least one type of Rathke cleft cyst has unique MR findings, specifically, high intensity on T1-weighted images and iso- to low intensity on T2-weighted images relative to white matter. To clarify the influence of cyst content on MR images, we analyzed the cyst content by biomedical methods after surgical removal. METHOD: We studied five patients diagnosed with Rathke cleft cyst, whose MR images showed high intensity on T1-weighted images and iso- to low intensity on T2-weighted images. After surgery, total protein and cholesterol levels were quantified, and correlations of protein and cholesterol content with T1 and T2 signal intensities were performed in vitro. RESULTS: All five cysts had very high concentrations of protein (11,700-26,600 mg/dl, mean 17,940 mg/dl) with nearly no cholesterol (at most 2.0 mg/dl). Along with increases in protein concentration in vitro, the signal intensity of T1-weighted images increased, while that of T2-weighted images decreased. In contrast, the cholesterol concentration sequence influenced the signal intensity of neither T1- nor T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: The unique MR finding of Rathke cleft cysts--high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images--might depend mainly on protein concentration, not on cholesterol.     

MR imaging findings of Rathke's cleft cysts: significance of intracystic nodules

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rathke's cleft cysts often may be difficult to differentiate from other intrasellar or suprasellar masses on radiologic studies. The purpose of this study was to describe the significance of intracystic nodules, a diagnostic characteristic found in Rathke's cleft cysts, on MR images. METHODS: A retrospective review of MR studies was conducted for 13 patients who, after pathologic analysis, were diagnosed as having Rathke's cleft cyst. These patients underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted axial and coronal spin-echo sequential imaging. The signal intensity and incidence of the intracystic nodules on T1- and T2-weighted images were analyzed. The signal intensity of the nodule was compared with that of white matter and surrounding cyst fluid. The signal intensity of cyst fluid was compared with the intraoperative appearance of the cyst fluid. Biochemical and pathologic analyses of the intracystic nodules were conducted in two cases. RESULTS: An intracystic nodule having high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images was observed in 10 (77%) of the cases. At surgery, intracystic nodules were yellow, waxy, solid masses. Pathologic analysis showed this nodule to be a mucin clump. Biochemical analysis of the intracystic nodules showed cholesterol and proteins as the main constituents. In the Rathke's cleft cyst with intracystic nodules, cyst fluid revealed low signal intensity to isointensity relative to the intensity of the nodules on T1-weighted images, and isointensity to high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Intracystic nodules were clearly visible on T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: Because cyst fluid of Rathke's cleft cysts shows variable intensities on MR images, the specific diagnosis is often difficult when based on MR signal intensity values alone. The presence of an intracystic nodule with characteristic signal intensities on MR images may be indicative of the diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cyst.     

Intracerebral gangliogliomas in patients with partial complex seizures: CT and MR imaging findings

The clinical and radiologic findings in 19 patients with partial complex seizures and surgically proved intracerebral gangliogliomas were reviewed to characterize the radiologic features of these lesions. The CT and MR findings were not specific. On CT the gangliogliomas can be hypodense with no enhancement and they often have calcifications. On MR these tumors have a wide variety of signals. In five of our cases the tumor had a high-intensity signal with a cystlike component on proton density- and T2-weighted images. In five cases the lesion had an inhomogeneously intense signal on proton density-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The tumor had high-intensity signal on both proton density- and T2-weighted images in four patients. Finally, in two cases the MR findings were normal. We recommend MR as the examination of choice for patients with partial complex seizures because it allows an artifact-free evaluation of the temporal region. However, CT should also be performed in order to recognize calcifications that may be missed on the MR examination.     

Variable MR findings in ovarian functional hemorrhagic cysts

PURPOSE: To describe the magnetic resonance (MR) findings in ovarian functional hemorrhagic cysts (FHC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with 22 FHC, proven by follow-up ultrasound (US) in 11 women and surgery in 10 women, had US and MR examinations within 24 hours. The study was limited to cysts with obvious an echogenic pattern. All patients had T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE), T1-weighted spin echo (SE), and T1-weighted SE fat-suppressed sequences. RESULTS: Four cysts (18%) were hypointense on T1-weighted-images without and with fat suppression, and hyperintense on T2-weighted-images. Five cysts (23%) were hypointense on T1-weighted images without and with fat suppression but heterogenous on T2-weighted images. Five cysts (23%) were hypointense on T1-weighted images but showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted fat suppression images and heterogenous signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Two cysts (9%) were entirely intermediate on T1-weighted images. Five cysts (23%) displayed high signal intensity occupying less than 30% of the cystic content on T1-weighted images and one cyst (5%) displayed high signal intensity occupying more than 30% of the cystic content. CONCLUSION: Despite an obvious echogenic pattern on US, 64% of FHC were hypointense on T1-weighted images and 18% were also hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Only 36% demonstrated intermediate or high signal intensity on T1-weighted images.     

MR imaging of thyroglossal duct cysts in adults.

AIM: To describe the magnetic resonance (MR) features of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC) in adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with TDC underwent MR imaging to obtain T1- and T2-weighted images and T2-weighted fat saturation images. In addition, contrast enhanced images were obtained in five patients. RESULTS: The signal intensity of TDC was of that of a simple cyst in seven (44%) patients, yielding high signal intensity on T2- and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images. In nine (56%), the signal intensity was either intermediate or high on T1-weighted images, the T2 signal intensity in these cases being high (7), intermediate (1) or low (1). Enhancement of the wall of the cyst was present in three of five (60%) patients. All 16 TDC were located at or just to one side of the midline and 12 were embedded in the strap muscles. All TDC were infrahyoid in location but 11 also extended superiorly to be directly related to the hyoid. At the hyoid the cystic component was immediately posterior (6) anterior (3) or anterior and posterior (2) to the bone. Intralaryngeal extension was present in eight (50%) patients. A suprahyoid tract was identified in three patients. The thyroid gland was in a normal location in all patients. CONCLUSION: Thyroglossal duct cysts are most commonly of high T1 signal intensity consistent with high protein content. The tract leading to the base of the tongue is infrequently seen, the diagnosis being determined by the intimate relationship to the hyoid and strap muscles. Intralaryngeal extension in adult patients with TDC is more frequent than reported previously.