Pathology of the Optic Nerve
This article focuses on pathologic processes affecting the optic nerve, optic nerve/sheath complex, and chiasm. Pathology of the visual pathways posterior to the chiasm is beyond the scope of this article…
Arterial Vascularization of the Cranial Nerves
We discuss the arterial supply of the cranial nerves from their exit out of the brain stem to their exit from the skull base. Four distinct groups can be differentiated…
Perineural Tumor Spread
Perineural spread (PNS) refers to the extent of tumor cells or other nonneoplastic lesions along the tissues of the nerve sheath, its overall incidence ranges from 2.5% to 5%. PNS…
Denervation Atrophy of Motor Cranial Nerves
Muscles undergoing denervation demonstrate a variety of imaging appearances in the various stages. It is incumbent on the radiologist to be aware of these changes so as not to interpret…
MRI of the Cranial Nerves—More than Meets the Eye: Technical Considerations and Advanced Anatomy
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the method of choice to evaluate the cranial nerves. Although the skull base foramina can be seen on CT, the nerves themselves can only be…
Pathology of the Olfactory Nerve
The olfactory system and especially the olfactory bulb (OB) as the first relay in the olfactory system represent highly plastic structures. For example, OB volume partly reflects the degree of…
Ultrasound of Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules can be detected in 4% to 8% of the adult population by palpation, but in 40% to 50% of the population by ultrasound. The overwhelming majority of these…
Parathyroid Imaging
The most common indication for parathyroid imaging is hyperparathyroidism, which is caused by a solitary parathyroid adenoma in most patients. The primary function of parathyroid imaging is localization of the…
Extrathyroidal Manifestations of Thyroid Disease: Thyroid Ophthalmopathy
Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a common autoimmune, inflammatory disease involving the orbit. Diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation and findings. Imaging, mainly CT and MR imaging, are helpful to reveal…
Parathyroid Surgery: What the Radiologists Need to Know
Hyperparathyroidism represents by a varied spectrum of presentations, from those individuals who have overt symptoms directly attributable to hypercalcemia to those who are asymptomatic at diagnosis. Indications for surgical intervention…
