This excellent review paper describes the anatomy, imaging protocols and differentiating imaging findings on CT and MRI in myriad skull base lesions. Skull base protocol MRI and thin section CT are required to evaluate all skull base lesions. According to the authors, a non-contrast skull base CT is adequate to delineate skull base lesions when paired with an MRI while a non-Gadolinium enhanced MRI provides information about marrow processes. The authors suggest that an iodinated contrast CT scan should only be performed if there are contraindications to an MRI. They recommend that to limit ionising radiation, a CT with and without contrast should be avoided as the contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) provides all the information required. Diffusion weighted MRI is useful to show restricted diffusion in suspected cases of empyema and pyogenic brain abscesses. This review adds to the literature on skull base imaging studies and is a must-read for all budding otorhinolaryngology and skull base trainees.
Skull base imaging: a review
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar
Head and neck: skull base imaging.
CONTRIBUTOR
Gauri Mankekar
Department of Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
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