Value of CT in the Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Neurogenic Tumors

Objective:To study the CT appearances of retroperitoneal neurogenic tumor and to improve the abilities in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant retroperitoneal neurogenic tumors.Methods:CT features of 23 patients with retroperitoneal neurogenic tumors proved surgically and pathologically were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among the 23 cases,there were 13 cases of benign tumors and 10 cases of malignant tumors respectively.Most of the benign ones showed round or oval masses with homogenous density and smooth edge.Spotty calcification was often seen in myoschwannoma and ganglioneuroma.The malignant ones usually presented as relatively big masses with irregular shape,heterogeneous density and rough edges.All tumors showed a homogenous or heterogeneous enhancement.The accuracy in characterization and in evaluation for the histologic type of the lesions was 78% and 60.9% respectively.Conclusion:It is valuable in differentiating benign and malignant lesions by combining the location of the tumor and CT fectures of the retroperitoneal neurogenic tumors,but is limited in evaluating histologic types.