Abstract
To create awareness to the radiologist and clinicians for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of Pterygopalatine fossa (PTF) tumours and to evaluate the role of MRI in the diagnostic of PTF lesions. Retrospective evaluation of MRI features of 29 patients with pathologically proved pterygopalatine fossa (PTF) lesions was performed. The study included 18 males and 11 females with ages ranging between 15 and 68 years. All patients were examined on 1.5 Tesla magnets before and after injection of Gadolinium Meglumine. TI WI 5mm section sagittal scout views, followed by axial T1 5mm sections for the skull base and same sliced thickness during PD and T2 WI in axial and coronal planes. MRI features of various masses in pterygopalatine fossa were reviewed and correlated with those demonstrated in the literatures. Out of 29 PF masses, 7 masses were proved to be angiofibroma and 6 were nasopharyngeal carcinoma, entering the PTF. MRI is a useful imaging test which helps in the differential diagnosis of pterygopalatine fossa lesions with precise evaluation of their extensions and nature of lesion and helping to reach the correct diagnosis. However, MRI has limitation for evaluation of associated bony erosion, for which adjuvant CT scan is needed.
Highlights
Pterygopalatine fossa is a small slightly elongated triangular component that lies just behind the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and in front of the pterygoid plates
CT has a considerable role in the diagnosis of pterygopalatine fossa lesions those of osseous origin, yet the skull base region is often the site of partial volume average and beam hardening artefacts. (1)
On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these lesions appear as a mass of heterogeneous low-intermediate signal intensity on T1 WI and PD, and of intermediate-high signal intensity on T2 WI
Summary
Pterygopalatine fossa is a small slightly elongated triangular component that lies just behind the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and in front of the pterygoid plates. It is bounded anteriorly by the corpus maxillae and superiorly by the body of the sphenoid bone. CT has a considerable role in the diagnosis of pterygopalatine fossa lesions those of osseous origin, yet the skull base region is often the site of partial volume average and beam hardening artefacts. The pterygopalatine fossa can be properly evaluated by MRI allowing for precise assessment of mass lesions, extension and avoiding the common CT artefacts. The pterygopalatine fossa can be properly evaluated by MRI allowing for precise assessment of mass lesions, extension and avoiding the common CT artefacts. (2)
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