THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PERIPHERAL-NERVE TUMORS

Fourteen cases of peripheral nerve tumour which had been examined by M RI were reviewed. T1-weighted images showed the tumours to be of inter mediate signal and T2-weighted images showed a high signal with some h eterogeneity. These appearances are not specific to peripheral nerve t umours, although the diagnosis may be suggested if the lesion arises f rom a major nerve trunk. The association with a nerve trunk may be def ined by MRT, thus assisting with surgical planning. Neurilemmomas, neu rofibromas and malignant nerve sheath tumours could not be differentia ted with certainty using MR alone. The MR features of lipofibromatous hamartoma are reported.