Learning objectives
To give an overview of frequently and rarely seen calcifications in the head & neck region.
To describe their appearance and diagnostic significance.
Where necessary a differential diagnosis is given.
Background
Several types of calcification can be observed in the head and neck region.
Some are diagnostic as such (e.g.
sialolithiasis).
Others lead to a diagnosis (e.g.
hemangioma) or refine the diagnosis (e.g.
fungal sinonasal disease).
A good knowledge of these calcifications and their associated diseases is indispensable.
However,
in the literature,
no reviews exist describing the different types and their diagnostic significance.
In our department,
CT imaging files were consulted in the PACS from mid 2005 to mid 2011 in an attempt to create an...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
A wide variety of calcifications were seen in the head and neck region.
1.
THE SINONASAL CAVITY AND ORBIT
1.1.
Fungal sinonasal disease
Invasive versus noninvasive
Noninvasive fungal disease
Definition:
Presence of fungal hyphae within the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses.
Can be acute or chronic.
Symptoms:
Chronic headaches,
nasal congestion,
and chronic sinusitis,
often for years.
CT appearance:
Usually bilateral,
multiple sinuses involved.
High attenuation mucin within lumen of sinuses.
Mostly central calcifications,
with fine/punctate appearance.
Epidemiology/etiology:
Often Aspergillus infection in younger immunocompetent patients,...
Conclusion
Good knowledge of a variety of calcifications seen in the head and neck region increases the degree of confidence of a radiological report by narrowing the differential diagnosis or even leading to a final confident diagnosis.
References
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Kennedy TL,
Whitaker M.
The CT appearance of thyroglossal duct carcinoma.
AJNR American journal of neuroradiology.
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Eisenkraft BL,
Som PM.
The spectrum of benign and malignant etiologies of cervical node calcification.
AJR American journal of roentgenology.
1999; 172(5):1433-7.
Hadi U,
Ghossaini S,
Zaytoun G.
Rhinolithiasis: a forgotten entity.
Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of...