Magnetic resonance imaging of neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma.

Eighteen magnetic resonance (MR) examinations were performed in 15 children with neuroblastoma in 6 patients, ganglioneuroblastoma in 4 and ganglioneuroma in 5. The MR images of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma presented with ill-defined margins and heterogeneous signal intensity, while ganglioneuroma had well-demarcated outlines and more homogeneous signal intensity in all sequences. The extension of these tumors, invasion to adjacent organs and encasement of vessels could be clearly identified. MR imaging appears to be a reliable technique for differential diagnosis among neuroblastoma/ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma.