3.0T MRI in diagnosis in Head and neck paragangliomas

HUANG Jing; DUAN Yunyun; LIU Yaou; REN Zhuoqiong; LIU Zheng; LI Kun-cheng

Abstract：Objective To analyze the MRI features of head and neck paraganglioma , and to explore the value of MRI in the clinical diagnosis .Methods The clinical and MRI data of 21 patients with head and neck paraganglioma diagnosed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively .The MRI features were observed , including the number , location, signal characteristics , occupying effect and enhancement of the lesions .Results There were 10 cases of carotid body tumor , occurring in the common carotid arter-y, 8 cases of glomus jugular tumor , in which 6 cases located in the jugular fossa and 2 cases located in the tympanic cavity .There were 2 cases of vagal paraganglioma and 1 case from the infratemporal fossa and autonomic nerve .T1 WI MRI showed equal or slightly low signal , T2 WI/FLAIR high signal , the boundary was clear , all cases accounted for no effect and edema around the tumors , some cases had "salt and pepper"sign, after enhanced scanning lesions were obviously enhanced .Conclusion The MRI manifestations of head and neck paraganglioma have certain characteristics .MRI can be used as the first safe and accurate choice for clinical diagnosis .