Board Review 3 – Case 9

Neuroradiology board review. This lecture is geared towards the ABR core exam for residents, but it would be useful for review for the ABR certifying exam or certificate of added qualification (CAQ) exam for neuroradiology.

More description and the answer (spoiler!) are seen below the video.

This case shows a mass in the left cerebellopontine angle (CP angle). It is predominantly outside of the internal auditory canal (IAC), although there is extension into the canal. It is relatively homogeneous with avid post-contrast enhancement.

The diagnosis is: meningioma

Meningiomas are the most common brain tumors (although they are extra-axial). They often have a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cleft around them which allow you to determine that they are extra-axial. They can calcify and cause adjacent hyperostosis of the bone.

A useful approach to CP angle masses is to first consider whether it is cystic or solid. Solid masses enhance on post-contrast imaging. If they are centered in the IAC and cause expansion, it is most likely a schwannoma. If it does not cause expansion or looks centered outside the IAC, think about meningioma.