Korean J Radiol.  2013 Feb;14(1):118-121. 10.3348/kjr.2013.14.1.118.

Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in a Patient with Trigeminal Ganglioneuroma

• Kim SK
• Jeong MY
• Kang HK
• Yoon W

• KMID: 1430054
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2013.14.1.118

Abstract

A case of intracranial ganglioneuroma arising from the trigeminal nerve in the pontine and cerebellopontine angle cistern, in a 44-year-old female, is presented with an emphasis on diffusion-weighted imaging findings. We will discuss on how the tumor in the very unusual location should be differentiated particularly focused on diffusion-weighted imaging findings.

Keyword

Trigeminal nerve; Ganglioneuroma; Diffusion-weighted imaging

MeSH Terms

Adult
Contrast Media/diagnostic use
Diagnosis, Differential
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods
Female
Ganglioneuroma/*pathology/surgery
Humans
Trigeminal Nerve/*pathology/surgery

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Trigeminal ganglioneuroma in 44-year-old female. A. Axial T1-weighted image shows well-defined mass (arrows) in left prepontine and cerebellopontine angle cistern. This has same signal intensity as adjacent brain parenchyma. B. Thin section heavily T2-weighted image shows mass (arrows) with abutting and displacement of left trigeminal nerve (curved arrow). C. Coronal postcontrast T1-weighted image shows minimal contrast enhancement of tumor (arrows). D. Axial echo-planar diffusion-weighed imaging with b = 1000 s/mm2 shows tumor with hyperintense lesion relative to adjacent brain parenchyma. E. Apparent diffusion coefficient map shows mild hypointensity of tumor (arrows). F. Photomicrograph shows that tumor consists of scattered mature ganglion cells (arrows) and spindle-shaped cells with scanty myxoid changes, H&E stain, × 200. G. Photomicrograph shows relatively strong S-100 expression of ganglion cells (arrows), × 400.

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