Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Neurilemmoma (Sympathetic nerve origin)
- Radiologic Findings
- Posteroanterior and lateral chest radiographs show right paratracheal mass with sharply demarcated margin. Contrast-enhanced CT scan shows a well-defined round mass with homogenous low attenuation and thick rim. Dense calcifications are also seen in the periphery of the mass. Specimen photograph of resected specimen shows well-demarcated cystic mass.
- Brief Review
- Neurilemmomas (Schwannomas) are solitary, encapsulated tumors and consist of a population of Schwann cell, with variable amount of reticulin fiber, but do not contain nerve tissue or collagen fiber. Tumors usually consist of two different components,: a highly ordered cellular component (Antoni type A tissue) and a loose myxoid component (Antoni type B tissue). They are usually found in the posterior mediastinum, usually originated from sympathetic nervous system or intercostal nerve.
At CT, a neurilemmoma appears as a well-demarcated round or oval mass that frequently demonstrates prominent cystic degeneration and calcification. At contrast-enhanced CT, neurilemmomas demonstrate variable homogenous or heterogenous enhancement. Attenuation of the tumors on enhanced CT depends on the extent of Antoni A or B tissue and the amount of myxoid or cystic degeneration or hemorrhage.
- References
- 1. Lee JY, Lee KS, Han JH, et al. Spectrum of neurogenic tumors in the thorax: CT and pathologic findings. JCAT 1999;23:399-406.
2. Cohen LM, Schwartz AM, Rockoff SD. Benign schwannomas: pathologic basis for CT inhomogeneities. AJR 1986;147:141-143.
- Keywords
- Mediastinum, Benign tumor,