Detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by MR Imaging: Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI Compared with Endoscopy and Endoscopic Biopsy Based on Long-Term Follow-Up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Our previous nasopharyngeal carcinoma detection study, comparing MR imaging, endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy, showed that MR imaging is a highly sensitive test that identifies nasopharyngeal carcinomas missed by endoscopy. However, at the close of that study, patients without biopsy-proved nasopharyngeal carcinoma nevertheless had shown suspicious abnormalities on endoscopy and/or MR imaging. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any patients with undiagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma by obtaining long-term follow-up and to use these data to re-evaluate the diagnostic performance of MR imaging.MATERIALS AND METHODS:In the previous study, 246 patients referred to a hospital ear, nose, and throat clinic with suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma, based on a wide range of clinical indications, had undergone MR imaging, endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy, and 77 had biopsy-proved nasopharyngeal carcinoma. One hundred twenty-six of 169 patients without biopsy-proved nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent re-examination of the nasopharynx after a minimum of 3 years, including 17 patients in whom a previous examination (MR imaging = 11; endoscopy = 7) had been positive for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the biopsy had been negative for it. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were identified by biopsy obtained in the previous and this follow-up study; patients without nasopharyngeal carcinoma were identified by the absence of a tumor on re-examination of the nasopharynx. The sensitivity and specificity of the previous investigations were updated and compared by using the Fisher exact test.RESULTS:One patient with a previous positive MR imaging finding was subsequently proved to have nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal carcinomas were not found in the remaining 125 patients at follow-up, and the previous positive findings for nasopharyngeal carcinoma on MR imaging and endoscopy were attributed to benign lymphoid hyperplasia. The diagnostic performances for the previous MR imaging, endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy were 100%, 88%, and 94%, respectively, for sensitivity, and 92%, 94%, and 100%, respectively, for specificity; the differences between MR imaging and endoscopy were significant for sensitivity (P = .003) but not specificity (P = .617).CONCLUSIONS:MR imaging detected the 12% of nasopharyngeal carcinomas that were endoscopically invisible, including 1 cancer that remained endoscopically occult for several years. Lymphoid hyperplasia reduced the specificity of MR imaging.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a radiosensitive tumor that can often be cured when detected early, but the nasopharynx is a clinically silent region and patients often present in the later stages of the disease.¹ Currently, the investigations for confirmation of NPC entail a nasopharyngeal endoscopy followed by an endoscopically directed biopsy at the site of an abnormality or sampling biopsies from an endoscopically normal nasopharynx. These methods may miss small nasopharyngeal carcinomas, however, because they are typically submucosal tumors or tumors located at the lateral aspect of the pharyngeal recess. These small nasopharyngeal carcinomas are becoming an even greater diagnostic challenge in the era of NPC screening² by using the Epstein-Barr virus as a surrogate, whether by serology, DNA, or nasopharyngeal brushings.New methods for the early detection of NPC, such as narrow band imaging^3,4 and sonography, are currently undergoing evaluation,⁵ but one of the most promising modalities in this regard is MR imaging. MR imaging has been used to stage biopsy-proved NPC for nearly 20 years,^6–8 but it is also ideally suited for the initial detection of the primary tumor.⁹ In a previous prospective NPC-detection study,¹⁰ we compared the diagnostic accuracy of nasopharyngeal MR imaging with that of nasopharyngeal endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy. The results of that study showed that MR imaging is a highly sensitive technique for NPC detection and one that has a significantly higher sensitivity for NPC detection than endoscopy. At the close of that study, however, there were subjects who nevertheless had shown MR imaging or endoscopic abnormalities that were suspicious for NPC, but the biopsy had been negative for NPC. Therefore, we planned to determine whether there were any patients with undiagnosed NPC, by obtaining long-term follow-up of all those patients without biopsy-proved NPC, on the basis of re-examination of the nasopharynx after a minimum of 3 years. Our goal was to determine whether the previous MR imaging examinations had been able to identify any further nasopharyngeal carcinomas or indeed whether the previous MR imaging examinations had missed any nasopharyngeal carcinomas. In addition, we planned to evaluate the MR imaging examinations with false-positive findings to determine whether the specificity of MR imaging could be improved.     

Posttreatment imaging of the nasopharynx

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common epithelial tumor of the nasopharynx. Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment while surgery or chemotherapy is used in selected patients. NPC usually regresses after 3 months of radiation therapy. Nonetheless, a residual mass may be present following treatment and this does not necessarily indicate viable tumor. Imaging studies are often used in conjunction with clinical examination following treatment. While computed tomography (CT) is widely used due to its greater availability, less expensive, and less time consuming, MR imaging is now becoming the preferred modality. MR imaging is more capable than CT for identifying mature scarring, tumor recurrence and postradiation complications. However, MR imaging cannot reliably demonstrate mucosal recurrence or differentiate tumor recurrence from postradiation tissue changes. Familiarity with the imaging findings of various posttreatment changes, tumor recurrence and postradiation complications is essential for management of NPC. Comparison with previous images or imaging-guided biopsy facilitates definitive diagnosis.     

Virtual endoscopy of the nasopharynx in the evaluation of its normal anatomy and alterations due to lymphoid hyperplasia: preliminary report

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of virtual endoscopy in establishing the anatomic appearance of nasopharynx, both normal and affected by lymphoid hyperplasia. Thirty-seven patients affected by chronic rhinosinusal and otomastoid pathology, all studied by rhinoscopy, were examined with multislice computed tomography (CT) and virtual endoscopy of the nasopharynx. Rhinoscopy showed a completely normal nasopharynx in 15 cases and a variable grade of lymphoid hypertrophy in 22 patients. A general agreement was observed between traditional and virtual endoscopy findings in both subgroups. The tasca of Luschka was detected in 13/15 of normal subjects and only in 3/22 patients. The Rosenmuller fossae appeared deeper in normal subjects and their symmetry could be considered an important criterion of normality. In all cases, a good evaluation of the tubaric ostium was obtained. Differentiation between hyperplasic lymphoid tissue and neoplasms is possible only in lymphoid hyperplasia characterized by median crest-like swelling with a narrow base. In most cases, differential diagnosis cannot be based only on morphological criteria of virtual endoscopy, but it should be evaluated considering the overall CT findings and clinical presentation.     

Value of contrast-enhanced MRI in the differentiation between nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia and T1 stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objectives

To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced MRI in differentiation between benign nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (NPLH) and T1 stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Eighty-six NPLH patients and 38 T1 stage NPC patients who underwent a contrast-enhanced MRI and an endoscopic biopsy were included. The patients’ symptoms and MRI features of nasopharyngeal mucosal thickening like location, symmetry, nasopharyngeal bubble, superficial mucus, nasopharyngeal retention cysts, serrated protrusions, contrast-enhancement type were documented. Accompanying signs such as sinus mucosal thickening, middle ear effusion, and cervical lymph nodes enlargement were also recorded. These MRI features were compared by Chi-square tests. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify the most predictive MRI features of malignancy.

Results

NPLH patients had more symptoms of pharynx discomfort or pain, while T1 stage NPC patients had more symptom of neck mass (P < 0.05). The most common pattern of nasopharyngeal mucosal thickening in NPLH was diffuse wall thickening (38.37%), while unilateral posterolateral wall thickening (39.47%) was more in T1 stage NPC. Nasopharyngeal bubble, retention cysts, serrated protrusions, symmetry, homogeneous enhancement, slight enhancement and vertical stripes were more common in NPLH, while nasopharyngeal wall asymmetry, inhomogeneous enhancement, moderated or marked enhancement and cervical lymph nodes enlargement were more in T1 stage NPC (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified unilateral posterolateral wall thickening, nasopharyngeal wall asymmetry, inhomogeneous enhancement and cervical lymph nodes enlargement were the most predictive MRI features for malignancy.

Conclusions

Careful analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI features of the nasopharynx and neck is helpful in differentiating benign NPLH from T1 stage NPC.

     

鼻咽非霍奇金淋巴瘤的MRI表现与侵犯特点

目的 探讨鼻咽非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)的MRI表现特征及鉴别诊断.方法 回顾性分析41例经病理证实的鼻咽NHL的MRI表现.评价病灶的大小、分布、侵犯范围及淋巴结累及情况.对B细胞型和T或NK/T细胞型2组NHL的侵犯生长方式比较采用Fisher确切概率法或Pearson卡方检验.结果 41例患者中,成熟B淋巴细胞肿瘤26例,成熟T淋巴细胞肿瘤2例,NK/T细胞瘤13例.病灶以鼻咽黏膜增厚或形成软组织肿块为主要表现,在T2WI上呈稍高信号,T1WI呈等信号,增强后均匀轻到中度强化.均匀累及鼻咽各壁24例,伴溃疡形成5例,超腔生长9例,累及舌或腭扁桃体共23例,邻近肌肉受侵20例,颅底骨质破坏12例.41例患者中,25例合并咽后淋巴结受侵,27例合并颈部淋巴结受侵.NK/T淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL更易超腔生长、咽旁结构侵犯、溃疡形成(T或NK/T淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL分别为8、11、4例,B淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL分别为4、10、1例),B淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL扁桃体侵犯更常见(B淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL为18例,NK/T淋巴细胞型鼻咽NHL为5例).结论 鼻咽NHL在MRI上表现具有一些特点,鼻咽各壁均匀增厚多见,常累及鼻腔或扁桃体,当肿瘤体积较大但没有或仅有少许深度侵犯时要考虑NHL.不同病理类型鼻咽NHL其MRI表现有一定差异.

Abstract：

Objective To characterize the features of Nasopharyngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) on MR imaging and find the main points to differentiate it from the other nasopharyngeal tumors.Methods The MR images of 41 patients with pathologically and immunohistochemically proven nasopharyngeal NHLs were reviewed retrospectively. Images were assessed by the size, invasive extent,signal intensity of primary nasopharyngeal tumor, and the distribution of cervical lymphadenopethy. The difference of regional tissues invasion and cervical lymphadenopathy distribution between the patients with B-cell NHLs and the patients with T-cell or NK/T-cell NHLs were analyzed by Pearson's Chi-Square test or Fisher's exact test Results Of the 41 patients, 26 patients had mature B-cell lymphoma, two patients with mature T-cell Iymphoma, and thirteen patients showed Nature killer/T-cell lymphoma in nasopharynx. MRI revealed that NHLs of nasopharynx can be showed as thickening of nasopharyngeal mucosa and (or) lumps in nasopharynx, which were slightly hyper-intensity on T2-weighted images, and intermediate signal intensity (similar to muscle) on T1 -weighted images, with mild or moderated enhancement following contrast medium administration. Twenty four cases had symmetrical disease of all walls of nasopharynx, and 17 cases had unsymmetrical tumor. Of all cases, 5 cases had superficial ulcerations, 9 cases had exceed nasoharynx invasion spreads superficially along the mucosa, 23 cases had invasion of lingual and (or) palatine tonsils,20 cases showed invasion of parapharygeal muscles, 12 cases suffered from skull base bone infiltration,25 cases had retropaharyngeal lymphadenopathy, and 27 cases had cervical lymhadenopathy. Patient with nasopharyngeal Nature killer/T-cell lymphoma had a higher incidence of exceed nasopharynx invasion,parapharyngeal structures invasion, and superficial ulcerations (the cases were 8, 11, 4 in patient with T-cell or N K/T-cell lymphoma, and 4, 10, 1 in patients with B-cell lymphoma, respectively). Patients with nasopharyngeal B-cell lymphoma had a higher incidence of inasion of lingual and (or) palatine tonsils.Conclusions Nasopharyngeal NHL is a homogeneous tumor that tends to diffusely involve all walls of the nasopharynx and spread in an exophytic fashion to fill the airway, rather than infiltrating into the deep tissues. Different pathological types of nasopharyngeal NHLs have some different appearance on MRI between each other. A large tumor in nasopharynx that fills the nasopharynx cavity, with no or minimal invasion into deep structures, but with invasion extend down into the lingual and(or)palatine tonsils, may suggest the diagnosis of nasopharyneal NHL.     

鼻咽缝间隙的解剖学基础及其影像学表现和意义

目的 在影像上提出鼻咽缝间隙的概念，介绍其CT和MRI表现及其意义。方法 正常CT组43例，正常MRI组36例，均进行鼻咽轴面平扫，其中加做鼻咽冠状面CT和MR扫描各5例，7例加做鼻咽后壁矢状面MR薄层扫描；2例鼻咽轴位断面标本作对照；鼻咽癌（NPC）组30例，同时进行CT与MR扫描，对鼻咽后软组织结构影像学表现进行详细观察分析。结果 鼻咽缝间隙位于椎前并列的头长肌或颈长肌之间，咽后壁后方，枕骨及颈椎前方，它包括上述肌肉之间的咽缝、咽后间隙、危险间隙、椎前间隙部分和组成这些间隙的筋膜，以及其中的纤维结缔组织、脂肪和淋巴结等结构，在CT上表现为三角形不均匀低密度影，在MRI上，呈三角形不均匀高信号影，其正中有粗细不一的低信号咽缝。正常CT组43例均在椎前肌之间出现1个层面以上的、呈低密度的两侧对称的三角形影，为鼻咽缝间隙；在斜坡和硬腭水平之间均见鼻咽缝间隙者22例，部分层面显示鼻咽缝间隙者14例，鼻咽缝间隙达口咽水平者7例。正常MRI组36例，在轴面像上35例在椎前肌之间可见两侧对称的呈不均匀高信号的三角形鼻咽缝间隙；从斜坡至硬腭水平均见鼻咽缝间隙者13例，部分可见11例，鼻咽缝间隙达口咽水平者11例；矢状面像上，鼻咽缝间隙止于C2椎体上部者4例、下部者3例；冠状面像上，鼻咽缝间隙呈纵行条带状影2例，倒置梯形3例。2具鼻咽断面尸体标本均见鼻咽后壁后方并列的头长肌或颈长肌之间三角形疏松纤维结缔组织。NPC组30例中鼻咽缝间隙对称存在者14例，不对称性变窄1例，消失者15例。结论 鼻咽部椎前并列的头长肌或颈长肌之间的结构在CT和MRI上统称为鼻咽缝间隙是合适的；NPC患者的鼻咽缝间隙消失和不对称性变窄多提示肿瘤侵犯椎前肌，而对称存在时，肿瘤多位于鼻咽顶后壁浅层。     

MR imaging of nonmalignant polyps and masses of the nasopharynx and sphenoid sinus after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The development of a new polyp or mass in the radiation field of a previously treated carcinoma is usually an ominous sign of a recurrent cancer, but rarely may it be caused instead by a nonmalignant process. The purpose of this study was to document the MR appearance of unusual nonmalignant polyps or masses (NMPMs) in the nasopharynx and sphenoid sinus arising after radiation treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR imaging reports of patients undergoing imaging after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with unusual polyps and masses in the nasopharynx. The MR images of those patients with no evidence of malignancy on biopsy or follow-up were reviewed.RESULTS: The MR imaging reports of 1282 patients were reviewed, and 11 patients (1%) with NMPMs in the nasopharynx or sphenoid sinus were identified. Two patterns were identified: contrast enhancing nasopharyngeal polyps ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm (n = 5) and sphenoid sinus masses consisting of a nonenhancing mass filling a nonexpanded sinus (n = 4) and a heterogeneous enhancing mass expanding the sinus (n = 2). Osteoradionecrosis produced a large defect in the roof of the nasopharynx causing direct communication with the sphenoid sinus (n = 6). Histology revealed granulation tissue in all of the patients with variable amounts of fibrin and inflammatory cells. A direct infective etiology was not proved in any patient.CONCLUSION: NMPMs in the nasopharynx and sphenoid sinus are rare complications after radiation therapy to the skull base, but the radiologist needs to be aware of their appearance so that they can be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspected tumor recurrence.

The rapidly dividing cells in the mucosal membranes of the pharynx and paranasal sinuses are very sensitive to the effects of radiation. The severity of radiation damage after treatment of head and neck cancers is related to radiation dose and potentially is increased by the use of chemotherapy and altered fractionation schedules of radiation therapy.¹ The naso-pharynx and sphenoid sinus are especially vulnerable to the effects of radiation treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, because they receive the full radiation dose. Acute mucositis is a consistent clinically visible adverse effect during the standard course of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. It starts around the second to third week of treatment and usually subsides several weeks after the end of treatment.² Likewise, acute radiation change can be seen on MR imaging. In the pharynx, these MR abnormalities often resolve, whereas in the paranasal sinuses there is a high incidence of persistent minor abnormalities, including mucosal thickening and fluid levels, months or years after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.^3–5 Rarely a mucocele may form in the sphenoid sinus.⁶ However, there are some patients who go on to develop severe delayed radiation effects resulting in the formation of unusual nonmalignant polyps and masses (NMPMs) in the nasopharynx and sphenoid sinus. These radiation-induced injuries cause both clinical and radiologic problems with distinction from recurrent cancer, as well as being a cause of serious morbidity and even mortality. The aim of this study was to describe these abnormalities in patients undergoing MR imaging after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.     

Epidural Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, both, a short metastasis-free interval after primary treatment and the occurrence of epidural metastasis have been associated with poor prognosis. We present the clinical course of a young patient with these two conditions and review the literature. PATIENT: A 26-year-old male with stage T2N3M0 non-keratinizing carcinoma (WHO type 2) of the nasopharynx was treated with induction chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy, 6 months after documentation of a clinical complete remission, the patient experienced metastatic disease to the C7-D1 vertebral bodies associated with an epidural soft tissue mass. Since no further metastatic lesions were detectable, the patient was treated with radiotherapy alone (3 960 cGy/22 fractions). RESULTS: Treatment resulted in compete resolution of neurological and radiological signs of the disease and the patient continues to be disease-free, 32 months after salvage treatment. In a literature search, we identified 54 reported cases with long-term survival after treatment for metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer. The vast majority of them had primary tumors with undifferentiated histology and was treated with combination chemotherapy. In 25 of them, radiotherapy was given as consolidation therapy (in 19 cases for bone and in six cases for mediastinal lymph node metastases). CONCLUSIONS: Epidural metastatic disease from a nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly sensitive to moderate doses of fractionated radiotherapy. MR imaging is essential for the detection of relevant soft tissue disease extensions within the epidural space and proper selection of the radiation target volume in vertebral metastases. In patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the occurrence of a solitary epidural metastasis after a short metastasis-free interval is not incompatible with long-term survival.     

鼻咽癌鼻咽后部筋膜间隙受累的影像学分析

目的:分析鼻咽癌鼻咽后部筋膜间隙受累的影像学表现,探讨椎前肌侵犯与颅底枕骨侵犯的相关性.方法:搜集行鼻咽及颈部MRI检查且未经治疗的新发鼻咽癌患者152例,总结其病变周围组织结构侵犯的规律,并结合文献分析鼻咽癌鼻咽后部筋膜间隙受累的相关性.结果:鼻咽癌鼻咽周围组织结构侵犯以椎前肌(62.50％,95/152)最常见,其...     

Magnetic resonance imaging of small nasopharyngeal tumors

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 9 patients with a small nasopharyngeal tumor were examined, and among them three cases were evaluated with Gd-DTPA enhancement technique. All cases showed no asymmetry of parapharyngeal space, but they presented neck lymph nodes swelling. These cases were proved malignant by surgical procedures and the blind biopsy. MR findings of levator and tensor veli palatini muscles and retropharyngeal lymph nodes were retrospectively evaluated in correlation with endoscopic examination and biopsy. In six cases among 9 patients, MR images demonstrated tumors on the lateral wall of nasopharynx. Infiltration of levator veli palatini muscle was an especially important earlier sign of nasopharyngeal tumor invasion because the levator veli palatini muscle belongs to the intrapharyngeal muscle group. Endoscopic examination could not reveal any abnormal lesion in three cases among these 6 cases. No definite signal intensity difference between tumor and pharyngeal mucosa was shown on both T1 and T2 weighted images. But the normal pharyngeal mucosa had demonstrated higher intensity than tumor with Gd-DTPA administration. So the enhanced nasopharyngeal MR imaging made the clear intensity difference between tumor and muscle tissue. It was the conclusion that MR imaging was superior to X-CT in detecting small nasopharyngeal tumor.     

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder of the head and neck: imaging features in seven adults

PURPOSE: To determine the cross-sectional imaging findings of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomographic (CT) scans (n = 6) and magnetic resonance (MR) images (n = 2) in seven patients with histopathologically proved PTLD of the Waldeyer (lymphoid) ring or cervical lymph nodes were retrospectively reviewed for abnormalities. RESULTS: The interval between transplantation and PTLD onset was 3.5-108 months (mean, 30 months). All patients had imaging abnormalities involving the Waldeyer ring, and focal 2.0-4. 5-cm masses were present in six patients (unilateral oropharyngeal tonsil in two, bilateral oropharyngeal tonsils in one, nasopharyngeal adenoids in three, unilateral pharyngeal tonsil and ipsilateral nasopharynx in one). In three patients, the mass was centrally low attenuating at CT or isointense to fluid at MR imaging, with enhancing solid peripheral lymphoid tissue. Three patients also had nodal findings: one with a 7-cm low-attenuating nodal mass in the right neck and two with numerous bilateral lymph nodes (mostly normal sized) in the anterior and posterior cervical lymph chains. One patient also had a small mass in the upper mediastinum. CONCLUSION: In the setting of organ transplantation, findings of masses in the Waldeyer ring or an excessive number of cervical nodes should increase the index of suspicion of PTLD.     

Palatal lymphoepitheliomas and a review of head and neck lymphoepitheliomas.

AIM: Lymphoepithelioma is principally a tumour of the nasopharynx with only sporadic cases arising elsewhere in the head and neck. We describe the clinical and imaging features of a group of rare lymphoepitheliomas related to the palate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients with lymphoepithelioma of the palate are described. In each case we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records, laboratory results, and imaging which consisted of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound in all four cases and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in two patients. RESULTS: All four patients were ethnic Chinese (non-smokers, non-drinkers). All cases were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related. Tumour was related to the palate in two cases and extended into the nasal cavity in one patient. The fourth patient had a tumour in the floor of the nasal cavity with invasion of the palate on biopsy but not imaging. Cervical lymphadenopathy was seen in two cases, and the nasopharynx was normal in all the four patients. CONCLUSION: Lymphoepitheliomas occur in the region of the palate, where they are also EBV related in southern Chinese. Compared with the keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, patients with lymphoepitheliomas have a better prognosis and these tumours are not tobacco or alcohol related. They should not be misdiagnosed as metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), particularly since the nasopharynx is invariably normal on imaging and adequate nasopharyngeal biopsy is negative for malignancy.     

Pulmonary and thymic lymphoid hyperplasia in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Pulmonary and thymic lymphoid hyperplasia with characteristic clinicoradiological manifestations were seen in a 71-year-old woman who was diagnosed with primary Sjögren’s syndrome. A hazy opacity 12 mm in diameter and an anterior mediastinal nodule 20 mm in diameter were incidentally detected on computed tomography. Thoracoscopic biopsy revealed lymphoid hyperplasia in the lung accompanying thymic lymphoid hyperplasia. Immunohistochemically, the pulmonary lesion was considered to be nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH), not lymphoma. A previously undescribed finding in the NLH was the hazy opacity containing an air bronchiologram, not a solid nodule. This finding might suggest a common causal relation for NLH, thymic hyperplasia, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome.     

A unique nasopharynx brachytherapy technique

To deliver a curative dose of radiation therapy to the nasopharynx using either external beam radiotherapy or conventional brachytherapy, it is often necessary to expose a large volume of normal tissue. Tolerance of normal tissue also limits the dose of radiation given for salvage therapy in failed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A unique brachytherapy technique with associated treatment planning is presented as an alternative method of treatment. This technique combines a single linear cesium-137 source inserted in the nasopharynx via a modified cuffed endotracheal tube, in conjunction with a plaque of iridium-192 ribbons applied in the form of a modified upper denture appliance. This method allows additional treatment to the primary area while neither exposing more normal tissue than necessary nor exceeding tolerance doses to surrounding structures.     

鼻咽部淋巴瘤的CT诊断

目的 研究鼻咽部淋巴瘤的CT表现. 资料与方法 回顾性分析45例经病理证实的鼻咽部淋巴瘤影像表现. 结果 45例均表现为突入鼻咽腔内的均匀软组织密度肿块,30例可见口咽肿块,10例可见鼻腔内侵犯,30例伴有颈部淋巴结增大,仅1例见颅底骨质增生硬化. 结论 鼻咽部淋巴瘤表现为鼻咽腔内生长的均匀密度肿块影,很少侵犯周围深层组织.     

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: radiological and pathological findings

We report a case of a rare lymphoepithelial cyst of the body of the pancreas that developed in a woman complaining of constipation for 15 years. Ultrasonography revealed a homogeneous isoechoic lesion, while CT demonstrated a polycystic homogeneous mass with central scar and calcification. Cytological investigation of a CT-guided biopsy permitted diagnosis of lymphoepithelial cyst. The patient was operated on and had an uneventful recovery. The histological finding was of a cyst wall lined with keratinised squamous epithelium surrounded by lymphoid tissue with reactive follicular hyperplasia. The radiological findings and differential diagnosis are discussed. Correspondence to: D. Regge     

MR imaging features of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis: report of three cases and literature review

The MR imaging appearances in three cases of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis are reported, and the findings are combined with three additional cases from a review of the literature. Two patterns of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis were identified. The first pattern is a discrete polypoid mass in the adenoids, and the second pattern is a more diffuse soft-tissue thickening of one or two of the walls of the nasopharynx. Extension outside the confines of the nasopharynx was not a feature, except in one case with early involvement of the prevertebral muscles.     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: recognizing the radiographic features in children

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children often present with enlargement of the nasopharyngeal soft tissues, which is usually due to benign hypertrophy of adenoids. The objective of this report is to emphasize that, although rare, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) does occur in children and can be diagnosed reliably when certain key radiographic features are recognized. METHODS: The presenting scans of 11 patients with biopsy proven NPC were reviewed retrospectively by a CAQ-certified neuroradiologist. The age range was 12-17 years (median 15 years). Fifteen scans were reviewed, including 8 CT scans of the neck with intravenous contrast and 7 MR scans of the nasopharynx without and with gadolinium. RESULTS: All 11 patients had a nasopharyngeal mass. The nasopharyngeal mass had invaded the central skull base in 10 patients (91%). Widening of the petroclival fissure was present in 8 (73%) patients; all except one patient had accompanying skull base invasion. The tumor had extended into the adjacent parapharyngeal space in 6 (55%), the pterygopalatine fossa in 2 (18%), and the masticator space in 2 (18%). Unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy was present in 4 (36%) and bilateral in 7 (64%). Lateral retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy that measured greater than 1 cm in maximal transverse dimension was present in 10 (91%). CONCLUSION: Pediatric NPC is generally not suspected clinically until late into the disease process. Awareness that NPC can occur in children should prompt careful evaluation for distinctive radiographic features. Earlier diagnosis may then direct the patient to timely appropriate therapy when these key radiographic features are present and recognized.     

Malignant tumours of the nasopharynx.

A series of 115 patients with malignant tumours of the nasopharynx were primarily irradiated. All the cases of carcinoma were TNM classified in retrospect. 60Co irradiation appeared to afford a somewhat better prognosis than conventional irradiation previously used. The 5-year crude survival rate for the patients with lymphoma and with carcinoma was 40.0 per cent and 23.8 per cent respectively. A distinctly better prognosis was found for women than for men and the prognosis was independent of whether or not lymph node metastases were present. There seems to be no indication for maintaining lympho-epithelial carcinoma as a special group of tumour. Surgical procedures are rarely indicated in the treatment of malignant nasopharyngeal tumours.     

Nasopharyngeal tonsillolith: a report of 31 cases

OBJECTIVE: Nasopharyngeal tonsilloliths are less well known to radiologists than palatine tonsil lithiases. The possibility of routinely available fine slices during CT scans of the head and neck prompted a retrospective study on the causes and radiological signs and patterns of nasopharyngeal tonsilloliths. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 515 CT scans were retrospectively re-examined looking for calcifications of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. One patient with this type of calcification underwent a cerebral MRI as part of the etiological workup of his faintness, which also provided a study of the nasopharyngeal wall. The size, density, and position of these calcium concretions were analyzed with CT in all cases. RESULTS: In 31 patients (18 men, 13 women), we discovered one or several calcifications in the pharyngeal mucous area, between 2 and 5.5 mm in size, with a median density of 202 HU. In two cases, we observed that these calcifications adhered to an adenoid cyst, whereas in three cases, the patients had both palatine tonsil and nasopharyngeal calcifications. None of the 31 patients had previously had an adenoidectomy. Sagittal CT and MRI images clearly localized all these calcifications before the pharyngobasilar fascia. DISCUSSION: The position of these nasopharyngeal calcifications in front of the pharyngobasilar fascia means that a calcified vestige of the notochord can be ruled out. Moreover, the simultaneous presence of nasopharyngeal tonsil and palatine tonsil calcifications in three patients is an additional argument for considering these calcifications of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx as tonsilloliths, all of which, representing 6% of the CTs in our series, were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The nasopharyngeal tonsilloliths are stones less than 1 cm in size lodged in the pharyngeal tonsils that are frequently detected on CT when there are no clinical symptoms.