Review Note

Last Update: 04/01/2024 02:30 AM

Current Deck: Neurology::Neurorads

Published

Most helpful imaging feature in distinguishing vestibular schwannomas: {{c1::Extension of enhancement along course of seventh and eighth nerves.}}

These are tumors that occur more commonly in the fourth and fifth decades of life, and most commonly arise from the vestibular portion of cranial nerve VIII.
They grow in the cerebellopontine angle, and may compress the brain stem and erode into the internal auditory meatus. Clinically, they grow slowly and may be asymptomatic, or present with hearing loss, tinnitus, and in some cases with cerebellar findings given that the cerebellar peduncles are compressed.
Radiologically, they are seen as circumscribed isointense tumors with contrast enhancement as seen in Figure 8.15. The location and radiologic appearance of the tumor as shown in Figure 8.15 distinguish it from the other choices. It is extra-axial (not within the brain parenchyma) and is not within the ventricular system. This is not a location typical for metastatic lesions.