Learning objectives
To learn the common locations of paragangliomas of the head and neck and where they originate.
To study the common imaging findings of paragangliomas,
using: Ultrasound,
CT,
MRI,
scintigraphy and angiography.
Background
Paragangliomasof the head and neck are rare tumours,
representing <0.5% of all head and neck tumours.
Overall,
there is a 3:1 female predominance,
with two-thirds of cases being diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60.
The classic manifestation of a carotid body tumor is a nontender,
enlarging lateral neck mass which is mobile,
pulsatile and associated wiht a bruit.
The jugulare and tympanicum tumors commonly cause pulsatile tinnitus and hearing loss and may cause cranial nerve compression.
Vagal paraganglioms are the least common and...
Findings and procedure details
Imaging is the primary diagnostic examination for glomus tumors of the head and neck.
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
scintigraphy and angiography can be performed for proper diagnosis and localization of the tumors.
They are divided according to location:
Carotid body tumour
Glomus tympanicum tumour
Glomus jugulotympanicum tumour
Glomus jugulare tumour
Glomus vagale tumour.
Radiographics Features
Ultrasound: Useful as the first step in assessment but not the last.
Inexpensive.
Non-invasive.
Readily available.
Ultrasonographic (US) evaluation of paragangliomas is limited to those...
Conclusion
Imaging techniques are essential for the management of paragangliomas of the head and neck in order to assess the involvement of adjacent structures,
surgery planification,
follow-up and diagnosis of local recurrence.
References
Paragangliomas of the Head and Neck: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.Archana B.
Rao,MD,Kelly K.
Koeller,CDR,
MC,
USN,
andCarol F.
Adair,LTC,
MC,
USA.November 1999,Volume 19,
Issue 6.
The jugular foramen: a review of anatomy,
masses,
and imaging characteristics.K S Caldemeyer,V P Mathews,B Azzarelli,
andR R Smith.Sep-Oct 1997.Volume 17,
Issue 5.
Extraadrenal Paragangliomas of the Body: Imaging Features.
Ki Yeol Lee1,Yu-Whan Oh,Hyung Jun Noh,Yu JinLee,HwanSeok,Yong,Eun,Young Kang,Kyeong Ah Kim,Nam Joon Lee.AJR 2006; 187:492–504.
Head and Neck Paragangliomas: Improved Tumor Detection Using Contrast-Enhanced 3DTime-of-Flight MR Angiography As Compared with Fat-Suppressed MR Imaging...