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Imaging tumours of the brachial plexus
1Department of Radiology, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, HA7 4LP UK. Asaifuddin@aol.com
Skeletal Radiology
|July 10, 2003
Summary
Brachial plexus tumors, rare and classified as benign or malignant, require accurate pre-operative diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively characterizes these tumors, aiding in differential diagnosis for successful management.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Neurology
Background:
- Brachial plexus tumors are rare and categorized as benign or malignant, with further classification into neurogenic and non-neurogenic origins.
- Accurate pre-operative diagnosis and staging are critical for effective management of these lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the imaging features of brachial plexus tumors.
- To emphasize the utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the differential diagnosis of these tumors.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging characteristics of various brachial plexus tumors.
- Emphasis on MRI findings, including T1-weighted and T2-weighted images.
- Correlation of imaging features with tumor type (neurogenic vs. non-neurogenic) and specific diagnoses (schwannoma, neurofibroma, lipoma, etc.).
Main Results:
- Benign neurogenic tumors typically appear as well-defined, oval soft-tissue masses on MRI, isointense on T1-weighted images, and exhibiting the "target sign" on T2-weighted images.
- MRI can differentiate between schwannoma and neurofibroma based on their relationship to the nerve of origin.
- Many benign non-neurogenic tumors, such as lipomas and fibromatosis, are also well-characterized by MRI.
Conclusions:
- MRI is a valuable tool for the pre-operative diagnosis and differential diagnosis of brachial plexus tumors.
- Understanding characteristic MRI features aids in distinguishing between different types of brachial plexus tumors, guiding clinical management.