Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix Mimicking Cervical Lymphoma: A Case Report

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCNCC) is a rare form of cervical carcinoma. Precise and early diagnosis of SCNCC is crucial because of its poor prognosis and distinct therapeutic approach compared with other common squamous cervical cancers. This report presents a case of SCNCC in a 50-year-old woman with vaginal bleeding. On computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor presents as a bulky, expansile, solid mass with a homogenous texture, low apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and extensive nodal and distant metastases. Mimicking lymphoma, the tumor did not exhibit cervical epithelial distortion. The diagnosis of SCNCC was confirmed by punch biopsy, and the patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy. MRI features that suggest SCNCC are lesion homogeneity, low ADC values, and frequent nodal metastases, which are commonly observed in lymphomas. Therefore, despite its rarity, SCNCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a cervical mass presents with these findings.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Scrotum:A Case Report

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) within the scrotum is a rare malignant genitourinary tumor in adults. Due to its rarity, a consensus on a clear approach to diagnosis and treatment guidelines has not yet been reached. We present a case of a paratesticular LMS in a 64-yearold man with a painless swelling of the right scrotum. Scrotal ultrasound and pelvic MRI were performed and revealed an extratesticular mass with a heterogeneous appearance.The patient underwent a right radical orchiectomy, and the mass was confirmed to be LMS, originating from the right spermatic cord. Preoperative diagnosis of LMS is challenging since it has overlapping clinical and imaging features with other sarcomas. MRI is a valuable imaging modality for the definitive characterization of the tumor. To provide timely and appropriate treatment, the correlation of the patient’s clinical information and imaging findings is necessary.

Usefulness of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Value of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Peak Standardized Uptake Values of Positron Emission Tomography-CT for Predicting Prognostic Factors of Breast Cancer

PURPOSE@#This study was performed to retrospectively correlate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and peak standardized uptake value (pSUV) with prognostic factors and MRI findings for breast lesions.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Ninety four breast cancers in 82 women were included in this study. Our patients underwent presurgical MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), 18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT, and immunohistological staining of the surgical or biopsy specimens. We evaluated relationships between mean ADCs and pSUVs with a variety of prognostic factors (age, tumor size, histologic grade of tumor, hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression status, and nodal metastasis) and MRI findings (shape, margin and internal enhancement of mass, T2-signal intensity, and kinetics), using statistical methods.@*RESULTS@#Both mean ADCs and pSUVs were significantly associated with histologic grade (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001) and nodal metastasis (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001). pSUVs were significantly associated with tumor size and estrogen receptor status, as well as irregular shape and rim enhancement pattern on MRI findings. On multivariate analysis, mean ADCs were significantly associated with invasiveness, estrogen receptor status and HER-2 expression status. PSUVs were only significantly associated with tumor size.@*CONCLUSION@#Mean pSUVs on PET-CT and ADCs on DWI helped predict prognosis of breast cancer.

Interobserver agreement in breast ultrasound categorization in the Mammography and Ultrasonography Study for Breast Cancer Screening Effectiveness (MUST-BE) trial: results of a preliminary study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to record and evaluate interobserver agreement as quality control for the modified categorization of screening breast ultrasound developed by the Alliance for Breast Cancer Screening in Korea (ABCS-K) for the Mammography and Ultrasonography Study for Breast Cancer Screening Effectiveness (MUST-BE) trial. METHODS: Eight breast radiologists with 4-16 years of experience participated in 2 rounds of quality control testing for the MUST-BE trial. Two investigators randomly selected 125 and 100 cases of breast lesions with different ratios of malignant and benign lesions. Two versions of the modified categorization were tested. The initially modified classification was developed after the first quality control workshop, and the re-modified classification was developed after the second workshop. The re-modified categorization established by ABCS-K added size criteria and the anterior-posterior ratio compared with the initially modified classification. After a brief lecture on the modified categorization system prior to each quality control test, the eight radiologists independently categorized the lesions using the modified categorization. Interobserver agreement was measured using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The overall kappa values for the modified categorizations indicated moderate to substantial degrees of agreement (initially modified categorization and re-modified categorization: κ=0.52 and κ=0.63, respectively). The kappa values for the subcategories of category 4 were 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24 to 0.52) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.49), respectively. The overall kappa values for both the initially modified categorization and the re-modified categorization indicated a substantial degree of agreement when dichotomizing the interpretation as benign or suspicious. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results demonstrated acceptable interobserver agreement for the modified categorization.

Effect of Different Types of Mammography Equipment on Screening Outcomes: A Report by the Alliance for Breast Cancer Screening in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different types of mammography equipment on screening outcomes by comparing the performance of film-screen mammography (FSM), computed radiography mammography (CRM), and digital mammography (DM).MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 128756 sets of mammograms from 10 hospitals participating in the Alliance for Breast Cancer Screening in Korea between 2005 and 2010. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the types of mammography equipment by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI); performance indicators, including recall rate, cancer detection rate (CDR), positive predictive value₁ (PPV₁), sensitivity, specificity, and interval cancer rate (ICR); and the types of breast cancer pathology.RESULTS: The AUCs were 0.898 (95% CI, 0.878–0.919) in DM, 0.860 (0.815–0.905) in FSM, and 0.866 (0.828–0.903) in CRM (p = 0.150). DM showed better performance than FSM and CRM in terms of the recall rate (14.8 vs. 24.8 and 19.8%), CDR (3.4 vs. 2.2 and 2.1 per 1000 examinations), PPV₁ (2.3 vs. 0.9 and 1.1%), and specificity (85.5 vs. 75.3 and 80.3%) (p < 0.001) but not in terms of sensitivity (86.3 vs. 87.4 and 86.3%) and ICR (0.6 vs. 0.4 and 0.4). The proportions of carcinoma in situ (CIS) were 27.5%, 13.6%, and 11.8% for DM, CRM, and FSM, respectively (p = 0.003).CONCLUSION: In comparison to FSM and CRM, DM showed better performance in terms of the recall rate, CDR, PPV₁, and specificity, although the AUCs were similar, and more CISs were detected using DM. The application of DM may help to improve the quality of mammography screenings. However, the overdiagnosis issue of CIS using DM should be evaluated.

Usefulness of for BI-RAD Category 4 or Higher Lesions

PURPOSE: As an alternative to core-needle biopsy in confirming the diagnosis of breast cancer, the usefulness of (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintimammography (MIBI scan) has been rarely reported. Thus, we aimed to evaluate a direct comparison between general diagnostic modalities and breast MIBI scan, which may be revealed as a potential diagnostic alternative.METHODS: In a retrospective study, 301 patients with 801 lesions, who underwent breast MIBI scan, ultrasonography, and mammography simultaneously between January 2013 and February 2015, were reviewed. All data were analyzed by McNemar and Kappa test for statistical significance.RESULTS: Mean age was 49.2±9.37 years old (range from 26 to 85 years old). Results of Breast MIBI scan were divided into three categories: 236 positive intensity uptakes (29.5%), 565 negative intensity uptakes (70.5%), and 67 suspicious abnormal intensity uptakes (8.4%). Pathologic reports were also allocated into four subgroups: 122 invasive cancers (15.2%), 44 non-invasive cancers (5.5%), 194 proliferative benign lesions (24.2%), and 441 non-proliferative benign lesions (55.1%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MIBI scan were 83.5%, 55.6%, 59.1%, and 95.2%, respectively. Specificity of MIBI scan plus general diagnostic modalities increased dramatically, up to 85.2%, compared to general modalities (6.8%).CONCLUSION: In general diagnostic modalities, such as mammography and ultrasound, BI-RAD category 4 or higher lesions were performed by needle biopsy rather than observation. The outstanding specificity and negative predictive value of MIBI scan provided confident results on non-proliferative benign lesions. MIBI scan may offer an alternative diagnostic tool for “invasive” biopsy procedures.

Analysis of Participant Factors That Affect the Diagnostic Performance of Screening Mammography: A Report of the Alliance for Breast Cancer Screening in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To analyze participant factors that affect the diagnostic performance of screening mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 128756 cases from 10 hospitals between 2005 and 2010. We analyzed recall rate, cancer detection rate (CDR) per 1000 examinations, positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate (FPR), and interval cancer rate (ICR) per 1000 negative examinations according to participant factors including age, breast density, and number of visit to the same institution, and adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: Increasing age improved recall rates (27.4% in 40's, 17.5% in 50's, 11.1% in 60's, and 8.6% in 70's), CDR (2.7, 3.2, 2.0, and 2.4), PPV (1.0, 1.8, 1.8, and 2.8%), sensitivity (81.3, 88.8, 90.3, and 94.7%), specificity (72.7, 82.7, 89.0, and 91.7%), and FPR (27.3, 17.3, 11.0, and 8.4%) (p < 0.05). Higher breast density impaired recall rates (4.0% in P1, 9.0% in P2, 28.9% in P3, and 27.8% in P4), PPV (3.3, 2.3, 1.2, and 1.3%), specificity (96.1, 91.2, 71.4, and 72.5%), and FPR (3.9, 8.9, 28.6, and 27.6%) (p < 0.001). It also increased CDR (1.3, 2.1, 3.3, and 3.6) and ICR (0.2, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.6) (p < 0.05). Successive visits to the same institution improved recall rates (20.9% for one visit, 10.7% for two visits, 7.7% for more than three visits), PPV (1.6, 2.8, and 2.7%), specificity (79.4, 89.6, and 92.5%), and FPR (20.6, 10.4, and 7.5%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Young age and dense breasts negatively affected diagnostic performance in mammography screening, whereas successive visits to the same institution had a positive effect. Examinee education for successive visits to the same institution would improve the diagnostic performance.

Performance of Screening Mammography: A Report of the Alliance for Breast Cancer Screening in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic accuracy and trend in screening mammography in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively linked the information from hospitals participating in the Alliance of Breast Cancer Screening in Korea (ABCS-K) and the database of the National Cancer Screening Program. We calculated performance indicators, including the recall rate, cancer detection rate (CDR), positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity, false-positive rate (FPR), and interval cancer rate (ICR). Changes in the performance indicators were calculated as the annual percent change with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: We enrolled 128756 cases from 10 hospitals from 2005 to 2010. The recall rate was 19.1% with a downward trend over time (-12.1% per year; 95% CI, -15.9 to -8.2). The CDR was 2.69 per 1000 examinations, without a significant trend. The PPV was 1.4% with an upward trend (20.8% per year; 95% CI, 15.2 to 26.7). The sensitivity was 86.5% without a significant trend, whereas the specificity was 81.1% with an upward trend (3.3% per year; 95% CI, 2.1 to 4.5). The FPR was 18.9% with a downward trend (-12.4% per year; 95% CI, -16.2 to -8.4). The ICR was 0.5 per 1000 negative examinations without a significant trend. There were institutional variations in the diagnostic accuracy and trend except for the CDR, sensitivity, and ICR. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and CDR of screening mammography in the ABCS-K from 2005 to 2010 were compatible with those for Western women. The recall rate, PPV and specificity, however, were suboptimal, although they showed significant improvements over this period. A further analysis is required to explain institutional variations.

Acute hypertensive pulmonary edema after Cesarean section in a patient with an antepartum myocardial infarction: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We report a case of 29-year-old, morbidly obese, diabetic primigravida who had undergone previously primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement for an inferior wall myocardial infarction at 10 weeks of gestation. She remained asymptomatic with medication during the remainder of her pregnancy, but preoperative echocardiography revealed left ventricular dilation and a restrictive diastolic dysfunction with a preserved ejection fraction (46%). She developed acute pulmonary edema associated with hypertension after an elective Cesarean delivery under continuous epidural anesthesia despite the meticulous restriction of fluid.

Usefulness and Complications of Ultrasonography-Guided Vacuum Assisted Biopsy for the Removal of Benign Breast Lesions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness and complications of ultrasonography (US)-guided vacuum assisted biopsy (VAB) for the removal of benign breast lesions, and the short- and long-term changes after VAB as shown on follow-up US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to May 2008, 110 sonographically benign lesions in 62 patients were sampled via US-guided VAB. We prospectively evaluated the sonographic findings 1 week and 6 months after VAB in all patients to determine the presence of residual tumors, hematomas and scarring. We evaluated the prevalence of hematoma, pain, skin dimpling, fibrotic scarring and residual tumors after US-guided VAB, and determined if correlation existed between complications, size of the lesions and lesion pathology. RESULTS: The age of the patients was 15-65 years, with a mean age of 36.5 years. The pathologic diagnoses were fibroadenomas (41.8%, n = 46), fibrocystic changes (30.9%, n = 34), fibroadenomatoid hyperplasias (13.6%, n = 15), fibroadenomatoid mastopathies (6.3%, n = 7), adenoses (3.6%, n = 4), hamartomas (1.8%, n = 2) and phyllodes tumors (1.8%, n = 2). Complications 1 week after the US-guided VAB included hematomas (n = 39, 35.4%), pain (n = 23, 20.9%), fibrotic scars (n = 26, 23.68%), residual tumors (n = 4, 3.6%) and skin dimplings (n = 4, 3.6%). Complications 6 months after the US-guided VAB included hematomas (n = 12, 10.9%), pain (n = 3 2.7%), fibrotic scars (n = 14, 12.7%), and residual tumors (n = 17, 15.4%). Residual tumor after US-guided VAB existed in association with 15.2% of fibroadenomas (7/46), 14.7% of fibrocystic changes (5/34), 13.3% of fibroadenomatoid hyperplasias (2/15), 25% of adenoses (1/4), and 100% of phyllodes tumors (2/2). CONCLUSION: US-guided VAB is an effective procedure for removal of benign breast lesion. Periodic follow up studies at 1week and 6months after the VAB are useful to assess Post-VAB complications.

Sonographic Findings of Mammary Duct Ectasia: Can Malignancy be Differentiated from Benign Disease / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate differences in ultrasonographic findings between malignant and benign mammary duct ectasia. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2005, 54 surgically proven mammary duct ectasia lesions depicted on sonograms were included in this study. We evaluated the ultrasonographic (US) findings in terms of involved ductal location, size, margin, intraductal echogenicity, presence of an intraductal nodule, calcification, ductal wall thickening and echo changes of the surrounding breast parenchyma. The US findings were correlated with the pathological features. RESULTS: Of the 54 lesions, 46 lesions were benign and eight lesions were malignant. Benign lesions included an inflammatory change (n=7), ductal epithelial hyperplasia (n=7), fibrocystic change (n=18), intraductal papilloma (n=11), atypical ductal hyperplasia (n=2) and sclerosing adenosis (n=1). Malignant lesions included ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n=6), infiltrating ductal carcinoma (n=1) and mucinous carcinoma (n=1). On US images, the peripheral ductal location, an ill-defined margin, ductal wall thickening and a hypoechoic change of the surrounding parenchyma were features significantly associated with malignant duct ectasia. CONCLUSION: For ill-defined peripheral duct ectasia with ductal wall thickening and surrounding hypoechogenicity as depicted on US, the possibility of malignancy should be considered and radiologists should not hesitate to recommend a prompt biopsy.

Prevalence and Significance of Carotid Plaques in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) has recently been recommended as a non-invasive tool for primary prevention of cardiovascular events; the association between CIMT and adverse cardiovascular events is well-known. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and significance of carotid artery plaque, especially in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 1,705 consecutive patients {933 males (54.7%); mean age, 59.7+/-10.9 years} who underwent coronary angiography and carotid artery scanning using high-resolution ultrasonography. Carotid plaque was defined as a focal structure encroaching into the arterial lumen by at least 50% of the surrounding IMT value or a thickness >1.2 mm. RESULTS: Carotid plaque was identified in 30.3% (516/1,705) of the patients. Of patients in whom the plaque location could be evaluated (n=1,027), carotid plaque was located at the common carotid artery {n=64/267 (24.0%)}, carotid bulb {n=194/267 (72.7%)}, and at both sites {n=9/267 (3.4%)}. The prevalence of hypertension (58.5% vs. 45.2%, p or =65 years), hypertension, and increased CIMT (> or =1.0 mm) were independent predictors of carotid plaque. Carotid plaque (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-2.45; p<0.001) was an independent predictor of multivessel disease based on multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Carotid plaque was common (30.3%) in Korean patients with coronary atherosclerosis, but it is still relatively uncommon compared to Western populations. Carotid plaque was associated with old age, hypertension, and increased IMT, and was an independent predictor of multi-vessel disease.

Spectrum of Axillary Disorders (Excluding Metastasis from Breast Cancer): Radiological and Pathological Correlation: A Pictorial Essay

Axillary disorders originate from an axillary lymph node, subcutaneous fat layer, accessory breast, nerve, vessel and muscle. The most common causes of a palpable axillary mass are a lymph node pathology containing a benign axillary lymphadenopathy, and malignant lymph nodes such as a metastatic lymphadenopathy from breast cancer and a malignant lymphoma. For the detection of masses in the axilla, mammography and sonography are the imaging modalities of choice. We present a spectrum of various axillary masses with correlative radiological imaging and pathological findings in this pictorial essay. Knowledge of the radiological findings of various axillary disorders is useful for a differential diagnosis and for preventing unnecessary invasive procedures.

Introduction of Electrochemical Therapy (EChT) and Application of EChT to The Breast Tumor / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: To introduce the history and principle mechanism of electrochemical treatment (EChT) with animal study and report two cases successfully treated breast cancer and hemangioma by EChT. METHODS: In animal study, the breast cancer tumor in nude mouse treated with EChT (100 Coulomb/cm3) were reviewed for histologic changes. In the case studies, we reported method of EChT and clinical results after EChT. Case 1: 74 yr old female with locally advanced breast cancer received 3 times EChT with 1,000 Coulomb/time, 8 Volt. Case 2: 51 yr old female with breast hemagioma received one time EChT with 80 Coulomb, 8 Volt. RESULTS: In animal study, There were destructive change including vaculated cell fragment and extensive coagulative necrosis. Case 1 showed no local recurrence during 18 monthes after EChT. Case 2 also showed no evidence of recurrence of hemangioma. CONCLUSION: The EChT is easy to use. It is effective, safe, less traumatic and makes patients recover quickly. This is a new and effective method to treat patients with tumours that are inoperable and can not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

A case of Hypertensive Encephalopathy after cesarean section / 대한산부인과학회지

Hypertensive encephalopathy is usually defined as malignant hypertension associated with central nervous system abnormalities such as headache, seizure, hypertension, altered consciousness, increased intracranial pressure, and retinopathy. The pathogenesis of hypertensive encephalopathy is uncompletely understood, although it seems to be related to hypertensive cerebrovascular endothelial dysfunction, disruption of the blood-brain barrier with increased permeability, cerebral edema, and microhemorrhage formation. Magnetic resonance imaging shows a characteristic posterior leukoencephalopathy that predominantly affects the white matter of the parieto-occipital regions. Hypertensive encephalopathy is a rare manifestation of hypertensive emergency that requires proper diagnosis and management to avoid a irreversible brain damage. We report a patient who developed hypertensive encephalopathy after cesarean section without preeclampsia or chronic hypertension and a case presented with a brief review of the literatures.

Usefulness of CT Fluoroscopy-guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in the Presence of Pneumothorax During Biopsy

PURPOSE: When pneumothorax occurs during a percutaneous needle biopsy, the radiologist usually stops the biopsy. We evaluated the usefulness of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsy in the presence of pneumothorax during biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 288 CT fluoroscopy guided percutaneous needle biopsies to diagnose the pulmonary nodules. Twenty two of these patients had pneumothorax that occurred during the biopsy without obtaining an adequate specimen. After pneumothoax occurred, we performed immediate CT fluoroscopy guided percutaneous needle biopsies using an 18-gauge cutting needle. We evaluated the success rate of the biopsies and also whether or not the pneumothorax progressed. We classified these patients into two groups according to whether the pneumothorax progressed (Group 2) or not (Group 1) by measuring the longest distance between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura both in the early and late pneumothorax. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between the progression of pneumothorax after biopsy and 1) the depth of the pulmonary nodule; 2) the number of biopsies; 3) the presence or absence of emphysema at the biopsy site; and 4) the size of the pulmonary nodule. RESULTS: Biopsy was successful in 19 of 22 nodules (86.3%). Of the 19 nodules, 12 (63.2%) were malignant and 7 (36.8%) were benign. Twelve patients (54.5%) were classified as group 1 and 10 patients (45.4%) as group 2. The distance between the lung lesion and pleura showed a statistically significant difference between these two groups: 1 cm in distance for group 1 (30%) and group 2 (70%), p 0.05). CONCLUSION: When early pneumothorax occurs during a biopsy, CT fluoroscopy guided percutaneous needle biopsy is an effective and safe procedure. Aggravation of pneumothorax after biopsy is affected by the depth of the pulmonary nodule.

Percutaneous Treatment of Extrahepatic Bile Duct Stones Assisted by Balloon Sphincteroplasty and Occlusion Balloon

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technical feasibility and usefulness of extrahepatic biliary stone removal by balloon sphincteroplasty and occlusion balloon pushing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones were included in this study. Endoscopic stone removal was not successful in 13 patients, and two patients refused the procedure due to endoscopy phobia. At first, all patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). A few days later, through the PTBD route, balloon assisted dilatation for common bile duct (CBD) sphincter was performed, and then the stones were pushed into the duodenum using an 11.5 mm occlusion balloon. Success rate, reason for failure, and complications associated with the procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: Eight patients had one stone, five patients had two stones, and two patients had more than five stones. The procedure was successful in 13 patients (13/15). In 12 of the patients, all stones were removed in the first trial. In one patient, residual stones were discovered on follow-up cholangiography, and were subsequently removed in the second trial. Technical failure occurred in two patients. Both of these patients had severely dilated CBD and multiple stones with various sizes. Ten patients complained of pain in the right upper quadrant and epigastrium of the abdomen immediately following the procedure, but there were no significant procedure-related complications such as bleeding or pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous extrahepatic biliary stone removal by balloon sphincteroplasty and subsequent stone pushing with occlusion balloon is an effective, safe, and technically feasible procedure which can be used as an alternative method in patients when endoscopic extrahepatic biliary stone removal was not successful.

Intratemporal and Extratemporal Facial Nerve Schwannoma:CT and MRI Findings

PURPOSE: To analyze the characteristics of CT and MRI findings of facial nerve schwannoma in ten patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with pathologically confirmed facial nerve schwannoma, underwent physical and radiologic examination. The latter involved MRI in all ten and CT scanning in six. We analyzed the location (epicenter), extent and number of involved segments of tumors, tumor morphology, and changes in adjacent bony structures. RESULTS: The major symptoms of facial nerve schwannoma were facial nerve paralysis in seven cases and hearing loss in six. Epicenters were detected at the intraparotid portion in five cases, the intracanalicular portion in two, the cisternal portion in one, and the intratemporal portion in two. The segment most frequently involved was the mastoid (n=6), followed by the parotid (n=5), intracanalicular (n=4), cisternal (n=2), the labyrinthine/geniculate ganglion (n=2) and the tympanic segment (n=1). Tumors affected two segments of the facial nerve in eight cases, only one segment in one, and four continuous segments in one. Morphologically, tumors were ice-cream cone shaped in the cisternal segment tumor (1/1), cone shaped in intracanalicular tumors (2/2), oval shaped in geniculate ganglion tumors (1/1), club shaped in intraparotid tumors (5/5) and bead shaped in the diffuse-type tumor (1/1). Changes in adjacent bony structures involved widening of the stylomastoid foramen in intraparotid tumors (5/5), widening of the internal auditary canal in intracanalicular and cisternal tumors (3/3), bony erosion of the geniculate fossa in geniculate ganglion tumors (2/2), and widening of the facial nerve canal in intratemporal and intraparotid tumors (6/6). CONCLUSION: The characteristic location, shape and change in adjacent bony structures revealed by facial schwannomas on CT and MR examination lead to correct diagnosis.