Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of parapharyngeal space tumors, and to understand their imaging features.MethodsThe CT and MRI features of 60 patients with parapharyngeal space masses surgically treated in our hospital from June 2014 to June 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The imaging features included the location, morphology, tissue density, signal intensity of the masses and their relationship with the surrounding tissues, and so on. ResultsOf all the 60 masses, 36 were schwannoma, 15 were salivary gland mixed tumor, 5 were carotid body tumor, and 4 were metastatic tumor from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Schwannoma showed up as oval or round mass with complete capsule, smooth border, and clear boundary of tumor body and deep lobe of parotid. Salivary gland mixed tumor manifested as round mass with complete capsule, absence of fat space around deep lobe of the parotid, displacement of styloid process, digastric muscle, tensor veli palatine and other surrounding tissues. Carotid body tumor was represented as regular form of soft tissue mass with equidensity in plain and apparent enhancement in contrast imaging of CT scan, signal intensity similar to or slightly higher than that of muscle on T1WI and unevenly high density signals on T2WI accompanied with signal voids of vessel. The metastatic lesions of nasopharyngeal carcinoma displayed oval-shaped masses with low-density signals on T1W1 and hyperintense on T2WI with areas of cystoid variation and necrosis.ConclusionCT and MRI features of parapharyngeal space tumors can be used to improve the clinical diagnosis rate and provide some basis for the treatment of the parapharyngeal space tumors.
