Thoracic neurilemomas: An analysis of computed tomography findings in 36 patients

Sheung-fat Ko*, Tze Yu Lee, Jui Wei Lin, Shu-Hang Ng, Wei Jen Chen, Ming Jang Hsieh, Yung Liang Wan, Chung Chueng Tsai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

On computed tomography (CT), neurilemomas have generically been described as well-defined, round masses with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The CT scans of 38 surgically proven thoracic neurilemomas in 36 patients were reviewed to characterize further the CT features of this tumor, with an emphasis on different enhancement patterns. Unenhanced CT was available in 32 patients: 10 tumors appeared isodense, and 22 tumors appeared slightly hypodense compared with chest wall muscle. Except for an intraosseous neurilemoma of the T8 vertebral body, which mimicked bone metastasis, the tumors could be categorized into five different patterns on CT after contrast enhancement. Twenty tumors (54.1%) revealed diffuse, but amorphous and inhomogeneous enhancement. Seventeen (45.9%) tumors appeared as masses with multiple hypodense or cystic areas. Of these 17, the pattern was somewhat radial enhancement (n = 6, 16.2%), peripheral enhancement with a large central hypodense area (n = 5, 13.5%), homogeneous hypodensity (n = 5, 13.5%), and central enhancement with peripheral hypodensity (n = 1, 2.7%). Appreciation of various CT manifestations is important in the diagnosis of this tumor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-26
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Thoracic Imaging
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 1998

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Neoplasms, thorax
  • Neurilemoma, thorax

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thoracic neurilemomas: An analysis of computed tomography findings in 36 patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this