Intravenous Contrast Enhancement Research Articles

An evaluation of current diagnostic radiologic modalities in the investigation of acoustic neurilemmomas.

The radiologic investigation of patients with suspected acoustic neurilemmomas may include specialized plain films, thin-section tomography, CT scanning with intravenous contrast enhancement, Pantopaque cisternography, radionuclide scanning, angiography, and pneumoencephalography. Recently we have used intrathecally enhanced (Amipaque)2 CT cisternography tostudy the cerebellopontine angles and fourth ventricle. An assessment is made of the differential diagnostic value and limitations of radiologic modalities both in tumor detection and in accurate localization. A protocol designed to optimize use of the available radiologic modalities is projected from 30 patients with acoustic neurilemmomas.

Radiological studies of cerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus

In recent years several new radiological techniques have been used for the evaluation of patients with hydrocephalus and for the study of cerebrospinal fluid formation and absorption. Radiological methods have been developed in dogs to measure the rates of cerebrospinal fluid formation in various parts of the ventricular system. In carefldly controlled conditions the formation of fluid may be demonstrated in patients during pneumoencephalography. Computerized tomography is a safe and painless technique that may largely replace pneumoencephalography and ventriculography for diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Combined with intravenous contrast enhancement it often gives the neurosurgeon sufficient information to treat the patient without the need for angiography or pneumoencephalography. A new safer radiographic contrast agent, Metrizamide, may be introduced into the subarachnoid space for the study of hydrocephalus. This contrast material can then be demonstrated in the cranial cerebrospinal fluid by computerized tomography.

"Computed cranial tomography in the investigation of acoustic neurilemmomas.".

SUMMARYComputed Cranial Tomography (CT) was performed in 17 patients with 18 acoustic neurilemmomas. Fourteen of 15 (93%) tumours with diameters above 1.5 cm were detected. Smaller lesions are below the threshold of detection by this method with current technology. Intravenous contrast enhancement and meticulous technique are essential for diagnosis.An indirect sign of large cerebellopontine angle masses, distortion of the quadrigeminal plate‐ambient cistern junction is described. The place of CT in the sequential pre‐operative evaluation and post‐operative management of patients with suspected cerebellopontine angle lesions is considered.