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Skull base: pseudolesion or true lesion?

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Abstract

The skull base is a complex anatomical structure. Therefore, radiologists often use “side-to-side” comparison for detection of abnormalities. This approach is compromised by the high frequency of anatomical variations involving the skull base and the common presence of flow-related artifacts within vessels at the skull base that might mimic true lesions. The spectrum of “pseudolesions” ranging from different anatomical variations, such as unusual arachnoid granulations, asymmetric pneumatization and/or appearance of neurovascular foramina, to flow-related artifacts will be discussed in this review article, and tips for their distinction from a true lesion in a similar location will be given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Administration, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Ilona M. Schmalfuss

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100374, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL, 32605, USA

    Ilona M. Schmalfuss & Morgan Camp

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  1. Ilona M. Schmalfuss
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  2. Morgan Camp
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Correspondence to Ilona M. Schmalfuss.

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Schmalfuss, I.M., Camp, M. Skull base: pseudolesion or true lesion?. Eur Radiol 18, 1232–1243 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0882-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0882-4

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