Target sign (peripheral nerve sheath tumor)
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Al Kabbani A, Rasuli B, et al. Target sign (peripheral nerve sheath tumor). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 17 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-28498
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rID:
28498
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Ayla Al Kabbani had no recorded disclosures.
View Ayla Al Kabbani's current disclosures
Revisions:
13 times, by
11 contributors -
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Synonyms:
- Target sign of neurofibromata
- Target sign of a neurofibroma
- Target sign of neurofibromas
- Target sign of peripheral nerve sheath tumor
The target sign of peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) is a lesional pattern of T2 signal on MRI consisting of a central area of low intensity surrounded by a T2 hyperintense rim. It is most commonly associated with localized neurofibroma, having been shown to correspond histopathologically with a dense central area of collagenous stroma surrounded by myxomatous tissue 5.
Unfortunately, the target sign is neither sensitive nor specific for either neurofibroma or for benign tumor:
- one study including 22 benign PNSTs showed a target sign in only 21% 4
- a similar "target sign" has also been observed in schwannoma, albeit less commonly. It is believed that the histopathologic correlate may be the alternating Antoni A and B zones, the latter of which consist of tumor cells surrounded by edema-like fluid 1,2,5
- a "target sign" has also been observed in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor 1,2,4
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Bhargava R, Parham DM, Lasater OE et-al. MR imaging differentiation of benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: use of the target sign. Pediatr Radiol. 1997;27 (2): 124-9. Pubmed citation
- 2. Jee WH, Oh SN, McCauley T et-al. Extraaxial neurofibromas versus neurilemmomas: discrimination with MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;183 (3): 629-33. doi:10.2214/ajr.183.3.1830629 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Salunke AA, Chen Y, Tan JH, Chen X, Foo TL, Gartner LE, Puhaindran ME. Intramuscular schwannoma: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features. (2015) Singapore medical journal. 56 (10): 555-7. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015151 - Pubmed
- 4. Demehri S, Belzberg A, Blakeley J, Fayad LM. Conventional and Functional MR Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Initial Experience. (2014) American Journal of Neuroradiology. 35 (8): 1615. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A3910 - Pubmed
- 5. Banks KP. The target sign: extremity. (2005) Radiology. 234 (3): 899-900. doi:10.1148/radiol.2343030946 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Femoral nerve schwannoma - pelvic
- Plexiform neurofibroma
- Bilateral plexiform neurofibromas of the trigeminal and facial nerves - NF1
- Peripheral nerve sheath tumour of S1 nerve root
- Plexiform neurofibroma
- Peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the sciatic nerve
- Left paravertebral neurofibroma
- L3 nerve root neuroma
- Plexiform neurofibromatosis
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