Neuroradiology back to the future: head and neck imaging.

E G Hoeffner,S K Mukherji,D J Quint,A Srinivasan

doi:10.3174/ajnr.a3365

Abstract

Imaging of the head and neck was initially described within the first year after Roentgen's discovery of the x-ray and was used to localize foreign bodies in the head and neck area, including the orbital, laryngeal, and esophageal regions. Subsequently, x-rays were used to evaluate the air-filled paranasal sinuses, the pneumatized temporal bone, and the upper aerodigestive tract. Special views for evaluating these structures were developed by early investigators. As contrast agents were developed, a variety of invasive procedures were developed to assess the structures of the head and neck. CT and MR imaging were applied to the extracranial head and neck slightly later than the brain and spine; these modalities revolutionized head and neck radiology, finally allowing assessment of the deeper structures of this complex anatomic region.

Highlights

Cross-Sectional Imaging of the Head and Neck As with imaging of the brain and spine, the advent of CT and MR imaging a short time later revolutionized the field of radiology.[14,56]
Coronal imaging was soon applied to the orbit, paranasal sinuses, maxillofacial bones, and temporal bone.[61,62]
The fine bone detail and destructive osseous processes were still better assessed with conventional tomography, soft-tissue extent of disease was clearly better delineated with CT.[63,64]

Summary

Introduction

It was Valvassori’s course on radiology in otolaryngology and ophthalmology that evolved into the founding of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology in 1976.48 Tomography was often combined with some of the various contrast studies of the head and neck region described above and was often used in conjunction with conventional x-rays as a screening tool, for assessment of the larynx and temporal bones.[49,50] Limitations of tomography included being time consuming and expensive to perform.

Results

Conclusion