Nasopharyngeal carcinoma CT
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Microchapters |
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Differentiating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma CT On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma CT |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma CT |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]
Overview
Nasopharyngeal carcinomas appear as soft tissue masses most commonly centred at the lateral nasopharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller).
CT scan
Nasopharyngeal carcinomas appear as soft tissue masses most commonly centred at the lateral nasopharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller).
Small lesions, are confined to the nasopharynx by the pharyngobasilar fascia, and are indistinguishable from prominent adenoidal tissue.
Larger / more aggressive tumours may extend into any direction, eroding the base of skull and passing via the Eustachian tube, foramen lacerum, foramen ovale or directly through bone into the clivus, cavernous sinus and temporal bone. In such cases the bone has irregular margins where it has been destroyed, characteristic of aggressive processes.
Soft tissue extension can occur in any direction, with irregular infiltrating margins.
Following administration of contrast the tumour mass and nodal metastases usually demonstrate heterogeneous enhancement.
Careful assessment of cervical lymph nodes is essential due to the high rate of nodal involvement at the time of diagnosis. The retropharyngeal nodes are usually the first affected, however in up to 35% of cases these nodes are skipped, and level II nodes involved first.
Post radiotherapy fibrosis can mimic residual tumour on CT.[1]