Current role of MRI in cerebellopontine angle lesions

Abstract

Objective The aim of our study is to evaluate the current role of MRI in the diagnosis of cerebellopontine angle lesions. Background MRI is considered the gold-standard method for the diagnosis of cerebellopontine angle lesions. This study aimed to explore an appropriate diagnosis to assess the extent and type of the lesion allowing for proper treatment. Patients and methods This study included 25 patients with symptoms suggestive of neurological disorders. Patients were subjected to different MRI sequences such as precontrast, postcontrast, diffusion MR, and MR spectroscopy. Results Of the 25 patients studied, the final diagnosis by MRI showed acoustic schwannoma in 12 (48.0%) patients, which was the most common lesion, followed by meningioma, was noted in seven (28.0%) patients, epidermoid cyst in one (4.0%) patient, prominent anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in one (4.0%) patient, paraganglioma in one (4.0%) patient, cystic neurofibroma in one (4.0%) patient, neurofibromatosis type 2 in one (4.0%) patient, and an arachnoid cyst in one (4.0%) patient. Conclusion MRI is the gold-standard method to differentiate the lesions by anatomical site of origin, shape, signal intensity, and behavior after an injection of contrast media.