0000000000086079
AUTHOR
Silvia Piccinini
Imaging of inner ear malformations: a primer for radiologists
AbstractIn the multidisciplinary management of patients with inner ear malformations (IEMs), the correct diagnosis makes the differences in terms of clinical and surgical treatment. The complex anatomical landscape of the inner ear, comprising several small structures, makes imaging of this region particularly challenging for general radiologists. Imaging techniques are important for identifying the presence and defining the type of IEM and the cochlear nerve condition. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are the mainstay imaging techniques in this area. Dedicated MRI and HRCT protocols play an important role in the diagn…
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment [Chapter 5. Neuroradiology of the Hearing System]
Hearing loss is one of the most frequent indications for CT and MR examinations of the auditory system. Such a symptomatology is becoming increasingly common in today’s society and is extremely disturbing for patients. Causes may involve the auditory pathway at any level. In most cases, neuroradiological examinations represents a mandatory step, within a multidisciplinary workup, towards final diagnosis, therapeutic plan and subsequent follow-ups. This chapter will introduce this critical topic starting from an imaging-based exposition of the anatomy and function of the auditory system. The chapter will include some hints on the choice of the best imaging examination to perform on each pati…
IMAGING OF VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA [Chapter 4]
Lesions of the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal are a frequent finding in neuroradiological examinations and their detection may represent a diagnostic challenge. Among these lesions, vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas are certainly the most frequent and account for up to 90% of all cerebellopontine angle tumours. The remaining ones are a group of lesions arising from the different structures found in these anatomical regions such as haemangiomas, lipomas, lymphomas, facial nerve tumours, and aneurysms. This chapter will introduce this topic focusing on a practical coverage of the typical and atypical neuroradiological signs that will drive towards the most correct dif…
Cerebral abscesses imaging: A practical approach
Abstract: Brain abscesses (BAs) are focal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) that start as a localised area of weakening of the brain parenchyma (cerebritis) and develops into a collection of pus surrounded by a capsule. Pyogenic (bacterial) BAs represent the majority of all BAs; in some cases, the diagnostic and therapeutic management can be challenging. Imaging has a primary role in differentiating BAs from other lesions. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is essential for the identification of the lesion, its localisation and its morphological features. However, cMRI does not allow to reliably differentiate BAs from other intracranial mass lesions such as necrotic…