Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models
Published on: May 17, 2024
MRI evaluation of neurofibromatosis 2 patients: a standardized approach for accuracy in interpretation
William H Slattery1, Michael H Lev, Laurel M Fisher
1House Ear Clinic and House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA. wslattery@hei.org
Objective:
To determine the level of agreement between local radiologists' and an experienced neuroradiologist's measurements of vestibular schwannomas.
Study Design:
Prospective study with uniform magnetic resonance acquisition protocol parameters and reporting instructions across 30 magnetic resonance imaging facilities worldwide.
Setting:
Multicenter natural history study of neurofibromatosis Type 2.
Subjects:
One hundred fifteen magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 57 neurofibromatosis Type 2 patients older than 5 years of age.
Interventions:
Thin-slice, postcontrast cranial magnetic resonance imaging.
Main Outcome Measures:
Spearman's rho interobserver association coefficient of vestibular schwannoma linear measurements.
Results:
The local and experienced radiologist measurements and identification of tumors agreement was fair (kappa = 0.77). Discordant interpretations were adjudicated by another experienced neuroradiologist.
Conclusion:
The least interobserver variability was found in measurements of thin-slice postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained at neurofibromatosis Type 2 centers in patients without previous operations and moderately sized tumors. If the schwannoma was difficult to assess, because of magnetic resonance imaging acquisition protocol, postoperative changes, or tumors smaller than 5 mm in greatest diameter, the neuroradiologist provided a more thorough assessment. The authors suggest uniform reporting criteria for vestibular schwannoma assessments to ensure clinically relevant information is communicated regarding vestibular schwannoma size.
