ARTICLE REVIEW 6

Name

C. Strasilla · V. Sychra

Article Title

Imaging diagnostics of the Vestibular Schwannoma

Journal Name

1)        Bibliography

Tumors, N., & Ausbreitung, D. (2016). Bildgebende Diagnostik des. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-016-0227-6

2)   Purpose of the Article

This article wanted to highlight the imaging modalities in detecting Vestibular Schwannoma which are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Computed tomography (CT). Mainly in aspect of tumor detection, spread determination, exact anatomical representation and surrounding structures relationship.

3)   Brief Description of Procedure and Findings/Results

To diagnose vestibular schwannoma, magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard as its sensitivity and specificity are almost 100%. It is crucial to use high-resolution sequences and apply gadolinium-based contrast media. Standard MRI sequence used to detect vestibular schwannoma are T2 DWI, CISS and FIESTA. And also T1 FLAIR that can assist in the pre-operative planning in terms of describing the size, localizing the tumor and acknowledging adjacent structures so that doctor could give findings, determine the type of treatment and aware of associated risk. MRI will be routine method for post-resection and radiosurgery of a vestibular schwannoma as well as documentation for post-operative complications. MRI has its own ability to detect the extension of infections if exist. Getting accurate imaging of vestibular schwannoma is very crucial because it determines the successfulness of the treatment. Anyway, therapy success of radiosurgery can only be determined after 24 months. As for the CT scan in which it focuses on the bony structures, it is limited to pre-operative planning and post-operative care. CT scan will be greatly useful If one is contraindicated to MRI.

4)   Conclusions and Comments

As for the conclusion, MRI is chosen as a gold standard in diagnosis of a vestibular schwannoma and also demarcation of differential diagnosis. It is very useful for pre-operative planning and post-operative imaging. It can visualize in detail of the location, size and characteristics of the lesion. CT scan can be helpful if one is contraindicated for MRI examination.

5)   Opinion of the Article

I strongly believed that this article is very significant and understandable. However, this article was published in German language hence it gives me difficult time to understand the whole article. Since I have to do auto translation of this article using google translation, the language is not smoothly arranged. It is kind of mixing word and sentence. Thus, I could not have good understanding for this article.