Board Review 2 – Case 16

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 within the spinal canal of the upper thoracic spine. For any spinal canal mass, your first step is to determine if it is:

• intramedullary (in the spinal cord)
• intradural extramedullary (inside the dura, but outside the spinal cord)
• extradural

This mass appears to be extramedullary but intradural. The main differential considerations are meningioma, nerve sheath tumor/schwannoma, or metastasis. This mass has a relatively benign appearance and enhances avidly and homogenously.

The diagnosis is: meningioma

Spinal meningiomas are extramedullary masses that share an imaging appearance with intracranial meningiomas. They are often homogenous and enhance avidly. They can have calcification. The treatment, if symptomatic, is surgical resection.