Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of facial neuroma to promote diagnostic accuracy. Methods Nine facial neuromas consisted of 8 schwannoma and 1 neurofibroma. High resolution CT were performed on 7 cases, routinal CT scan on 2 patients. Six cases were examined by MRI, in which 5 cases were used constrast media. Results Five tumors on right side and 4 on left were detected. The tumor affected the internal auditory canal segment of facial nerve in 1 case, labyrinth segment in 4, anterior genu in 6, tympanum segment in 7, mastoid segment in 6,horizontal segment in 5 and parotid segment in 3. CT demonstrated enlargement of the facial nerve canal, benign bone remodeling in the location of geniculate ganglion and stripe soft issue along the course of facial nerve. MRI found that involved facial nerve became thickened markedly as a stripe or soft mass by several segments, that were isointense to brain on T 1WI and isointense or hyperintense on T 2WI and enhanced obviously. Conclusion The segmental soft tissue mass along the facial nerve course is the characteristic of facial neuroma. Gadolinium enhanced MRI is an effective method for detecting the lesion.

Objective To analyze the CT and MRI manifestations of congenital cholesteatoma of petrous bone ,and evaluate the efficacy of it in the clinical practice.Methods Imaging findings in 27 pathological-proved cases were review. Imaging materials included CT scan in 26,MRI scan in 11.Results Petrous bone wall erosion and expanding tumor was observed with CT(n=23),tumor was not oberved with CT(n=3).Congenital choleseatoma signal intensity was intermediate or low on T 1W images and high on T 2W images in 11 cases.Conclusion The role of MRI and CT is affirming in the evaluation of congenital choleseatoma of the petrous bone. MRI is superior to CT for the evaluations of involvement of the membranous labyrinth and intracranial structures.

Objective To evaluate the imaging diagnosis value of glomus tympanicum tumors.Methods Images of 10 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed glomus tympanicum tumors were reviewed.The image characteristics and diagnostic value were summarized.Results In 8 patients with high resolution CT scan and 2 patients with routine CT scan,soft tissue nodules within the tympanic cavity were identified on axial or coronal images in 7 of them.And in 3 patients with chronic tympanitis,glomus tympanicum tumors were not differentiated on CT images.Eight patients had undergone MR examination,on T2WI the tumors were moderate hyperintense(n=6)and hyperintense(n=2),and the tumors were enhanced obviously after contrast.In 3 patients with chronic tympanitis,moderate high signal of the tumor can be differentiated with the high signal of tympanitis on T2WI.On contrast MRI,the signal of enhanced tumor or unenhanced tympanitis was identified clearly.Conclusion On diagnosis of glomus tympanicum tumors,MRI is prior to CT,especially in patient with glomus tympanicum and tympanitis.