Neoplastic diseases affecting the central skull base: CT and MR imaging.

Abstract

Modern imaging techniques play a vital role in the diagnostic evaluation and follow-up of patients with neoplastic disease affecting the skull base. Many of these lesions have a high rate of recurrence if surgical removal is not complete. Newer, more aggressive surgical approaches can have a maximal effect only if the full extent of a lesion is known preoperatively. CT and MR imaging provide the surgeon with detailed information about every site of tumor involvement. Although these lesions are not common in clinical radiologic practice, the radiologist must be prepared to offer a reasonable differential diagnosis and a full evaluation of the extent of disease. This review presents some of the more commonly encountered tumors that can affect the skull base and describes their radiologic features, with emphasis on CT and MR imaging.