Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of cerebellopontine angle tumors

Objective: to determine the role of MRI in evaluation of different Cerebellopontine angle tumors, and differentiation between them

Materials and Method: This study was conducted in the period between January 2009 and December 2012. Fifty four patients with CPA masses were selected on bases of neurotological complains that related to CPA

Results: Cerebellopontine angle masses in this study were classified into two groups: acoustic neuromas and non acoustic neuromas CPA masses. Twenty eight of cases [51.8%] were acoustic neuromas in which 26 cases were unilateral acoustic neuromas and 2 cases with bilateral neuromas, the remaining 26 cases [48.2%] were other non acoustic CPA masses. These included, one trigeminal neuroma [1.9%], 6 [11.1%] cases were CPA meningiomas, 6 [11.1] cases were epidermoid, 3 [5.6%] cases were arachnoid cyst, 2 [3.7%] cases were glomus jugulare tumors, 3 [5.6%] cases metastatic tumors and 5 [9.2%] cases were intraaxial and intraventricular tumors extending to the CPA, this included 2 cases cerebellar hemangioblastoma, 1 case pontine glioma and 2 cases were fourth ventricular ependymoma

Conclusion: MR imaging is considered the imaging method of choice to assess CPA tumors and to distinguish between them

revolution of MR imaging in evaluation of posterior fossa tumors, is there still a value of CT examination in this respect, an initial-experience comparative study in Assiut University

Althrough a period of time extending from January to December 2001, fifty-one patients [32 males and 19 females] and of ages ranged from 2 months to 70 years were selectively included in our study for the clinical suspicion of posterior fossa space occupying lesions [SOL]. All patients submitted to full clinical assessment that was followed by a dual sitting radiologic work-up including CT scanning [using a Toshiba CT machine] and multiplanar MR imaging [using a Gyroscan MR machine] where comparison of the obtained CT and MR findings was performed depending on the proof obtained from final operative and histopathologic reports to assess the well-established role of the former [CT] to that of superadded latter procedure [MR] in the light of our experience in this respect. According to the histopathologic results, it was noted that cerebellar astrocytomas were the most frequent [18] ones representing 35.8% followed by 12 medulloblastomas [23.6%], 8 brain-stem gliomas [15.7%], 3 meningiomas [5.7%], 3 acoustic neuromas, 3 hemangioblastomas [5.7%], 2 ependymomas [3.9%] and 2 choroid plexus papillomas [CPPs] [3.9%]. It was noted that MR imaging has notably improved the tumour detectability regarding its borders and relation to the surrounding tissues that were sometimes improperly assessed on CT images due to petrous bones imaging artifacts and regarding its ability to detect the CSF seedlings of a tumour that was seen only on contrast-enhanced MR images in six of our patients due to its highest inherent resolution and soft tissue discrimination ability and to the unlimited multiplanar imaging capabilities, although detection of calcification is still a unique advantage of CT over MR imaging in this respect. In our study, the compared overall accuracy of MR to CT was 99.32% to 98.42% respectively. We concluded that when both procedures are available for usage, MR should be that of choice

Comparative study between magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and arthroscopy in evaluation of curciate and menisical injuries of the knee

Over a period of one year 42 patients with knee joints trauma were evaluated by MRI and arthroscopy. The study was performed at Radiology Department and cases were referred from Orthopedics Department, Assiut University Hospital. Fourty patients were males and 2 were females. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 48 years with mean age 29.3 years All the patients had a history of trauma to the knee joint and they were presented with joint pain, swelling, clicking or sense of instability. MRI and arthroscopy were done for all patients. Correlation of the findings of MRI and arthroscopy were done in all cases. The arthroscopic diagnosis was positive in 39 cases and negative in 3 cases. The positive cases include 18 cases of ACL, 5 cases of PCL tears, 8 MM tears and 8 LM tears. The MR was positive in 42 cases. These include 18 cases of ACL tears. 5 cases of PCL tears, 10 cases MM tears and 9 cases LM tears. Both MRI and arthroscopy have the same results in diagnosis of ACL, PCL tears, but they differ in the diagnosis of some cases of meniscal tears where arthroscopy is more accurate. We concluded that MRI is accurate in the diagnosis of cruciate and meniscal injuries of the knee and its accuracy should decrease the need for arthroscopy as a diagnostic tool and direct its use for therapeutic use