Skull base imaging, anatomy, pathology and protocols

2019 ◽  
pp. practneurol-2019-002383
Author(s):  
Bernadine Quirk ◽  
Steven Connor

The skull base is the major bony and soft tissue interface for the intracranial and extracranial compartments. Its anatomy is complex, containing multiple traversing foramina that act as conduits for various neurovascular structures. The optimum imaging modality depends on the specific diagnostic question and area of interest; both CT and MR have complementary roles. This article focuses on the applied compartmental anatomy of the skull base and specific imaging protocols, and discusses the range of pathologies that neurologists will encounter.


2021 ◽  
pp. 875647932110554
Author(s):  
Garth S. Nanni ◽  
Samantha Cofsky

Sonography is an essential imaging modality, known for its real-time capabilities, relative low cost, and multiple diagnostic applications. Although there are protocols which are well-established for specific examinations, there are not clear guidelines for sonographic examinations of soft tissues. Many sonographers have to establish their own imaging protocols when completing a soft tissue examination. This case series details five soft tissue examinations that represent just a few of the clinical requests generated in an Urgent Care (UC) facility. Since UC usage has increased over the past several years, it appears likely that any sonographer working in such outpatient settings will benefit from as much exposure to soft tissue examinations as possible.



Author(s):  
Paolo Spinnato ◽  
Andrea Sambri ◽  
Tomohiro Fujiwara ◽  
Luca Ceccarelli ◽  
Roberta Clinca ◽  
...  

: Myxofibrosarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in the elderly. It is characterized by an extremely high rate of local recurrence, higher than other soft tissue tumors, and a relatively low risk of distant metastases.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for the assessment of myxofibrosarcoma and plays a key role in the preoperative setting of these patients.MRI features associated with high risk of local recurrence are: high myxoid matrix content (water-like appearance of the lesions), high grade of contrast enhancement, presence of an infiltrative pattern (“tail sign”). On the other hand, MRI features associated with worse sarcoma specific survival are: large size of the lesion, deep location, high grade of contrast enhancement. Recognizing the above-mentioned imaging features of myxofibrosarcoma may be helpful to stratify the risk for local recurrence and disease-specific survival. Moreover, the surgical planning should be adjusted according to the MRI features



Author(s):  
Nilkanth Laxman Pal ◽  
Ambika Sumeet Juwarkar ◽  
Sanjaya Viswamitra

Abstract Background Encephaloceles refer to the herniation of intracranial contents through the defect in the dura and calvarium. This article aims to equip the radiologists with all the necessary information to approach a case of encephalocele in a systematic manner and report in an organized format. Thus reduce the reporting time without overlooking any detail. Main text An extensive literature review was performed searching through the standard textbooks and electronic databases to obtain thorough information on the various encephaloceles particularly from a radiological point of view. The author’s observations were also incorporated in the review. Among the available imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging is the most versatile and considered the imaging modality of choice because of superior anatomic resolution in the characterization of central nervous system malformation. This study provides the reporting radiologist with a methodical guide to approach a case of encephalocele discussing the imaging protocol, relevant anatomy, classification, associated abnormalities, and imaging prognostic factors. Conclusion Encephalocele has always been a subject of predicament for radiologists. Understanding the relevant terminologies, anatomy, imaging protocols, classification, associated malformations/anomalies, and imaging prognostic factors will help to methodically approach each case and provide a systematic and comprehensive report.



2014 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huseyin Toprak ◽  
Erkan Kiliç ◽  
Asli Serter ◽  
Ercan Kocakoç ◽  
Salih Ozgocmen

Improved developments in digital ultrasound technology and the use of high-frequency broadband transducers make ultrasound (US) imaging the first screening tool in investigating superficial tissue lesions. US is a safe (no ionizing radiation), portable, easily repeatable, and cheap form of imaging compared to other imaging modalities. US is an excellent imaging modality to determine the nature of a mass lesion (cystic or solid) and its anatomic relation to adjoining structures. Masses can be characterized in terms of their size, number, component, and vascularity with US and Doppler US especially with power Doppler US. US, however, is operator dependent and has a number of artifacts that can result in misinterpretation. In this review, we emphasize the role of ultrasound, particularly power Doppler, in superficial soft-tissue lesions.



2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam McCann ◽  
Sameer A. Alvi ◽  
Jessica Newman ◽  
Kiran Kakarala ◽  
Hinrich Staecker ◽  
...  

Background: Cervicofacial actinomycosis is an uncommon indolent infection caused by Actinomyces spp that typically affects individuals with innate or adaptive immunodeficiencies. Soft tissues of the face and neck are most commonly involved. Actinomyces osteomyelitis is uncommon; involvement of the skull base and temporal bone is exceedingly rare. The authors present a unique case of refractory cervicofacial actinomycosis with development of skull base and temporal bone osteomyelitis in an otherwise healthy individual. Methods: Case report with literature review. Results: A 69-year-old man presented with a soft tissue infection, culture positive for Actinomyces, over the right maxilla. Previous unsuccessful treatment included local debridement and 6 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. He was subsequently treated with conservative debridement and a prolonged course of intravenous followed by oral antibiotic. However, he eventually required multiple procedures, including maxillectomy, pterygopalatine fossa debridement, and a radical mastoidectomy to clear his disease. Postoperatively he was gradually transitioned off intravenous antibiotics. Conclusions: Cervicofacial actinomycosis involves soft tissue surrounding the facial skeleton and oral cavity and is typically associated with a history of mucosal trauma, surgery, or immunodeficiency. The patient was appropriately treated but experienced disease progression and escalation of therapy. Although actinomycosis is typically not an aggressive bacterial infection, this case illustrates the need for prompt recognition of persistent disease and earlier surgical intervention in cases of recalcitrant cervicofacial actinomycosis. Chronic actinomycosis has the potential for significant morbidity.



2017 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 144-148
Author(s):  
Prithvi Varghese ◽  
Julio Kandathil ◽  
Jayasree Govindan ◽  
Rashmi R. ◽  
Muhammed Jalal

AbstractIntracranial meningiomas without dural attachment are rare and posterior cranial fossa meningiomas without dural attachment are rarer. Such meningiomas are thought to arise from arachnoid cap cells in pial membrane, tela choroidea, or choroid plexus. MRI is the best imaging modality for the diagnosis of meningiomas and typically shows an enhancing, dural based, extra-axial soft tissue mass with a characteristic dural tail. Meningioma without dural attachment should be suspected if the MRI shows a space-occupying lesion having features of a meningioma but without a dural base and dural tail. We report a case of meningioma in the lateral cerebellomedullary cistern without dural attachment.



2005 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 45-51
Author(s):  
Alexander Blankstein ◽  
Aharon Chechick ◽  
Abraham Adunski ◽  
Uri Givon ◽  
Yigal Mirovski ◽  
...  

Soft tissue masses are amongst the commonest complaints encountered in orthopedic practice. Of these, masses found in the hand and the wrist are presented at higher frequency. They are often painful and may cause limitation of movement. This work describes the prevalence and the nature of soft tissue masses in the hand and wrist encountered in routine practice. This work was performed to assess the characteristics of soft tissue mass in the hand and the effectiveness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of soft tissue masses and their differentiation from other lesions in the hand and wrist. Orthopedic surgical conditions that involve soft tissue in the hand and wrist may remain a diagnostic challenge when clinical diagnosis is uncertain and standard X-rays are non-diagnostic. High resolution ultrasound is widely available, non-invasive, without damage of radiation, imaging modality that can help the diagnosis. We reviewed retrospectively 25 patients with soft tissue masses. We compared the ultrasound findings with the histological findings in seven operated patients. A substantial majority of these lesions occurred in the right hand: 79% of the lesions were in the dorsal aspect of the hand, of which 37% were distal to the wrist joint, among them 42% at wrist either radial or ulnar; and 21% of the lesions were found in the volar aspect, among them 17% at wrist aspect, either radial or ulnar side. No predisposing factors could be found. The findings of this study reaffirm the utility of ultrasonography as primary diagnostic tool in routine orthopedic practice.



2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wu ◽  
Yu Dong ◽  
Jia Jiang ◽  
Haiqing Li ◽  
Tongming Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract Injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Rotator Cuff Tendon (RCT) are common in physically active and elderly individuals. The development of an artificial prosthesis for reconstruction/repair of ACL and RCT injuries is of increasing interest due to the need for viable tissue and reduced surgically-related co-morbidity. An optimal prosthesis design is still elusive, therefore an improved understanding of the bone-soft tissue interface is extremely urgent. In this work, Raman spectral mapping was used to analyze, at the micron level, the chemical composition and corresponding structure of the bone-soft tissue interface. Raman spectroscopic mapping was performed using a Raman spectrometer with a 785 nm laser coupled to a microscope. Line-mapping procedure was performed on the ACL and RCT bone insertion sites. The classical least squares (CLS) fitting model was created from reference spectra derived from pure bone and soft-tissue components, and spectral maps collected at multiple sites from ACL and RCT specimens. The results suggest that different source of interface shows different boundary, even they seems have the same components. Compared to the common histology results, it provided intact molecular information that can easily distinguished some relative component change.



2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soroush Farnoosh ◽  
Robert Kellman ◽  
Sherard Tatum ◽  
Jacob Feldman

AbstractTraumatic injuries to the skull base can involve critical neurovascular structures and present with symptoms and signs that must be recognized by physicians tasked with management of trauma patients. This article provides a review of skull base anatomy and outlines demographic features in skull base trauma. The manifestations of various skull base injuries, including CSF leaks, facial paralysis, anosmia, and cranial nerve injury, are discussed, as are appropriate diagnostic and radiographic testing in patients with such injuries. While conservative management is sometimes appropriate in skull base trauma, surgical access to the skull base for reconstruction of traumatic injuries may be required. A variety of specific surgical approaches to the anterior cranial fossa are discussed, including the classic anterior craniofacial approach as well as less invasive and newer endoscope-assisted approaches to the traumatized skull base.



Author(s):  
Kirsten Van Langevelde ◽  
Niels Van Vucht ◽  
Shinji Tsukamoto ◽  
Andreas F. Mavrogenis ◽  
Costantino Errani

: Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) typically occurs in young adults from 20-40 years old. Although the majority of lesions are located in the epi-metaphyses of the long bones, approximately one third of tumours is located in the axial skeleton, of which only 4% in the sacrum. Sacral tumours tend to be large at the time of presentation, and they present with aggressive features such as marked cortical destruction and an associated soft tissue component. The 2020 World Health Organisation classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumours describes GCTB as neoplasm which is locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing. The tumour contains three different cell types: neoplastic mononuclear stromal cells, macrophages and osteoclast-like giant cells. Two tumour subtypes were defined: conventional GCTB and malignant GCTB. Only 1-4% of GCTB is malignant. In this review article, we will discuss imaging findings at the time of diagnosis to guide the musculoskeletal radiologist in reporting these tumours. In addition, imaging for response evaluation after various treatment options will be addressed, such as surgery, radiotherapy, embolization and denosumab. Specific findings will be presented per imaging modality and illustrated by cases from our tertiary sarcoma referral center. Common postoperative and post radiotherapy findings in GCTB of the sacrum on MRI will be discussed.



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