Abstract
Nerve tumors are rare and heterogeneous soft tissue tumors arising from a peripheral
nerve or showing nerve sheath differentiation. In a radiologic setting it is necessary
to recognize soft tissue lesions that are of neural origin, their association with
a peripheral nerve, and whether they are a true tumor or a so-called pseudotumor such
as a neuroma, fibrolipoma, or peripheral nerve sheath ganglion. Ultrasound (US) and
magnetic resonance imaging are the best modalities to characterize these lesions.
US can be used to guide biopsy in difficult and uncertain cases when the lesion is
either indeterminate or possibly malignant. At present, no single imaging feature
or reproducible criteria, or a combination, can differentiate reliably between a neurofibroma
and a schwannoma or discriminate with certainty between benign and malignant neurogenic
tumors. Adequate imaging and consultation with a nerve tumors/sarcoma unit is advised.
Keywords
peripheral nerves - tumors - sarcoma - ultrasound - magnetic resonance imaging
