CT, angiographic and 67Ga scintigraphic findings of neurogenic tumors in extremities

CT, angiographic findings of 13 neurogenic tumors (11 benign and 1 malignant schwannomas, 1 malignant neuroepithelioma) in the extremities were reviewed. All tumors but a malignant schwannoma had a sharp margin and showed low or iso-density compared to surrounding muscles on plain CT scans. All tumors in which contrast CT scans were performed were enhanced, and heterogeneous enhancement due to necrosis or cyst was noted in 8 benign and a malignant schwannomas. In a neuroepithelioma, higher rim-like enhancement was noted in the capsule. On angiograms, 3 of 9 benign schwannomas were hypervascular and remaining 6 were hypovascular. The malignant schwannoma was hypervascular. On 67Ga scintigrams, all of 6 benign tumors were not detected. In 2 malignant tumors, 67Ga uptake was shown. (author)