Role of diffusion-weighted image in differentiation between epidermoid cyst and other cerebellopontine angle masses

Abstract EN

Background: Many masses can present in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of these masses, and a complimentary advanced MRI technique such as diffusion‑weighted image (DWI) is needed as to differentiate between epidermoid and arachnoid cyst.

Objective: This study aimed to find out the role of DWI in differentiate between epidermoid cyst and other CPA masses.

Materials and Methods: By using data collection form electronic medical record, we collect demographics; choosing 40 patients; 23 of them are male and 17 are female.

They were complaining of signs and symptoms of neurological disorders.

By subjecting the patients to MRI sequences including T1; T2; DW; apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC); and postcontrast imaging to find out the role of DWI in differentiate between epidermoid cyst and other CPA masses.

The study carried on from September 2017 to July 2018 in the institution Al‑Hilla general teaching hospital in the diagnostic radiology department at MRI unit.

Results: The resultant patient sample regarding final diagnosis; and regarding signal intensity (SI) of each particular mass; constricting on DW and ADC value; and then comparison has been done between SI of epidermoid cyst and each particular lesion to define the role of DWI in differential diagnosis between epidermoid cyst in one hand and other CPA masses.

Conclusion: MRI can be considered the most useful method to improve the sensitivity of CPA lesion detection and a complimentary advanced MRI technique such as DWI is needed as to differentiate between epidermoid and arachnoid cysts.