Posterior Nasopharyngeal Wall Research Articles

Endoscopic lipofilling for velopharyngeal insufficiency after transoral surgery: a technical note.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a known complication of transoral surgery, with a reported incidence of 8.1%. The main factor related to VPI is the split of the soft palate. However, dead space resulting from transoral decompression may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the dysfunction. In our experience, functionally significant dead space is almost constantly present after transoral decompression. This is probably due to malformation in children and postoperative scarring, thus configuring a nosological entity that we could define as "syndrome of the nasopharyngeal dead space." Palatal prosthesis and pharyngoplasty have been proposed, though these surgical procedures are technically tricky and with possible complications, such as OSA symptoms, snoring, and nasopharyngeal stenosis. We proposed an effortless and minimally invasive procedure to treat this condition based on lipofilling the nasopharynx posterior wall endoscopically. To test the procedure's functional result, the submucosa of the nasopharynx posterior wall was initially filled with resorbable material, namely fibrin glue and autologous blood. The result was optimal but regressed after one month. Then, we repeated the procedure by lipofilling with autologous abdominal fat, resulting in a more stable anatomical and functional outcome at six months follow-up. The patient had a prompt significant improvement of his complaints (rhinolalia and oronasal regurgitation) and a correct projection of the nasopharynx posterior wall, with correct closure during phonation and absence of oronasal reflux. The "syndrome of the nasopharyngeal dead space" should be correctly identified after transoral surgery. It can be effectively treated with lipofilling of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, a simple and minimally invasive procedure.

Objective Tinnitus of Nasopharyngeal Origin.

We report a rare case of objective tinnitus induced by nasopharyngeal muscle constriction. A 49-year-old female patient presented at the clinic with unintentional sounds coming from the nasal cavity while talking or swallowing, which were similar to the lip-smacking sound. Physical examination revealed a hypertrophic posterior nasopharyngeal wall and torus tubarius at rest. With voluntary effort, the posterior pharyngeal wall protruded prominently and collided with the torus tubarius on either side, generating a sound when they were separated. Botox injection was recommended but the patient refused. The diagnosis and treatment of objective tinnitus are well established, but in some cases, it may occur under unexpected conditions. We report a novel type of objective tinnitus. A thorough physical examination for tinnitus could reveal the cause.

Cross-Sectional Study on Lateral Skull Radiographs to Design a New Nasopharyngeal Swab for Simplified COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections Diagnostic Testing in Children.

Nasopharyngeal swab sample collection is the first-line testing method for diagnosing COVID-19 infection and other respiratory infections. Current information on how to properly perform nasopharyngeal swabbing in children is largely defective. This study aimed at collecting nostril to nasopharynx distance measurements on lateral skull radiographs of children and adolescents to design a nasopharyngeal swab meant to standardize and facilitate the sample collection procedure. A total of 323 cephalograms of 152 male and 171 female children aged 4-14 years taken for orthodontic reasons were selected. On each cephalogram, the shortest distance between the most anterosuperior point of the nostril contour and the nasopharynx outline was measured in mm parallel to the palatal plane. Descriptive statistics of the measurements were calculated for each age group. The lower limit of the 95% confidence intervals of the measurements was taken as a reference to design a swab shaft with marks that, at each age, delimitate a safety boundary for swab progression up to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. The simplification of the procedure enabled by the newly designed nasopharyngeal swab is valuable to help healthcare providers perform specimen collection on children in a safe and effective way, perhaps under the less-than-ideal conditions possibly occurring in 'point-of-need' contexts.

Optimal Insertion Depth for Nasal Mid-Turbinate and Nasopharyngeal Swabs.

Millions of people are tested for COVID-19 daily during the pandemic, and a lack of evidence to guide optimal nasal swab testing can increase the risk of false-negative test results. This study aimed to determine the optimal insertion depth for nasal mid-turbinate and nasopharyngeal swabs. The measurements were made with a flexible endoscope during the collection of clinical specimens with a nasopharyngeal swab at a public COVID-19 test center in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants were volunteer adults undergoing a nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test. All 109 participants (100%) completed the endoscopic measurements; 52 (48%) women; 103 (94%) white; mean age 34.39 (SD, 13.2) years; and mean height 176.7 (SD, 9.29) cm. The mean swab length to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall was 9.40 (SD, 0.64) cm. The mean endoscopic distance to the anterior and posterior end of the inferior turbinate was 1.95 (SD, 0.61) cm and 6.39 (SD, 0.62) cm, respectively. The mean depth to nasal mid-turbinate was calculated as 4.17 (SD, 0.48) cm. The optimal depths of insertion for nasal mid-turbinate swabs are underestimated in current guidelines compared with our findings. This study provides clinical evidence to guide the performance of anatomically correct nasal and nasopharyngeal swab specimen collection for virus testing.

Assisted resection of lateral extension of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma using a sphenopalatine fossa dissector.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma often attaches firmly to the adjoining bony region around the sphenopalatine foramina-sphenopalatine fossa-pterygomaxillary fissure. This can result in hourglass-shaped constriction and predispose to incomplete resection (residual disease) with a transpalatal approach. This paper describes attempts to address this 'inaccessible' area with a novel instrument, used since 2012. Measurements of the sphenopalatine foramen, nasal septum, posterior nasopharyngeal wall and hard palate were undertaken in 20 skulls and 10 computed tomography scans (lateral extension). A device was designed (in terms of angulation and length) following several trials with malleable wire. A search of patents was also undertaken. Recurrence rates were compared in cases of device use and non-use. The novelty of the sphenopalatine fossa dissector was established and the device was patented. This device has significantly improved our 17.59 per cent recurrence rate of the past 4 decades; of 63 cases over 3 years, there were only 3 recurrences and 2 residual disease cases. Findings of our previous studies with or without the device are compared. Existing evidence supports the incorporation of this inexpensive instrument in the armamentarium for resecting lateral extension of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma during a transpalatal approach.

Possible association between successful intubation via the right nostril and anatomical variations of the nasopharynx during nasotracheal intubation: a multiplanar imaging study.

Most reported cases of nasopharyngeal laceration following impingement during nasotracheal intubation involved tube insertion via the right nostril. We postulated that recesses on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx might be associated with tube impingement. Using multiplanar imaging and clinical statistics, we evaluated whether anatomical variations in the recesses are related to successful intubation via the right nostril. Using multiplanar computed tomography (CT) images of 97 patients, we investigated the locations of recesses relative to the mid-sagittal plane, nasal floor plane and posterior end of the nasal septum, and their shapes. Incidents of impingement of the tube during nasotracheal intubation and the shapes of the fossa of Rosenmüller on CT images were retrospectively evaluated in 170 patients. Eustachian tube orifices were located approximately 10mm laterally from the sagittal plane, and approximately 10mm above the nasal floor plane. The fossa of Rosenmüller was vertically elongated and located 7mm laterally from the mid-sagittal plane. Pharyngeal bursae were found in 15% of the subjects. Patients with failed insertion via the right nostril due to impingement frequently had a wide opening of the fossa of Rosenmüller. Successful intubation via the right nostril is related to the anatomy of structures on the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, particularly recesses located close to the path of nasotracheal tube insertion. Nasopharyngeal anatomical variations should be considered when one notices any resistance to advancement of the tube into the nasopharynx during nasotracheal intubation.

Palatal eversion for the treatment of combined nasopharyngeal stenosis and tonsillar pillars adhesion

ObjectiveRarely the tonsillar pillars and the soft palate became adherent to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall by strong fibrous tissue due to excessive dissection and cauterization during surgery leading to nasopharyngeal stenosis. Therefore, many treatment modalities are being tried to cure this problem. The aim of this study is to explore our results of modifying the basic technique to accommodate those patients with combined nasopharyngeal stenosis and tonsillar pillars adhesions in one stage. Study Design: Case series. MethodsThis study was conducted on 10 patients with combined nasopharyngeal stenosis and tonsillar pillars adhesions after adenotonsillectomy. They were subjected to treatment by palatal eversion through dividing the soft palate in the midline to separate each pillar from the pharyngeal wall in continuation with each half of soft palate and removal of the fibrous tissue causing stenosis. This was followed by eversion and fixation of the two palatal divisions on either side to allow complete epithelialization of the stenotic area. Postoperative follow-up was done for one year by the flexible nasopharyngoscopy, perceptual speech analysis, and polysomnography. ResultsThe flexible nasopharyngosopic examination of the 10 patients at the end of post-operative period revealed a freely mobile soft palate with no nasopharyngeal stenosis or palatal fistula. Velopharyngeal function and speech assessment by perceptual speech analysis was normal in all 10 cases. No obstructive episodes were recorded in polysomnograms. ConclusionsPalatal eversion is a promising technique in the treatment of post-adenotonsillectomy of combined nasopharyngeal stenosis and tonsillar pillars adhesion. It is recommended to be used on a wider scale of patients and other indications as nasopharyngeal stenosis following uvulopalatoplasty and post nasopharyngeal radiotherapy. The level of evidence: 4 (case series).

Histological identification of nasopharyngeal mechanoreceptors.

The auditory tube plays a fundamental role in regulating middle ear pressure. A "system" sensitive to a pressure gradient between the middle ear and the ambient environment is necessary. The presence of mechanoreceptors in the middle ear and the tympanic membrane has been studied, but the presence of these receptors in the nasopharyngeal region remains unclear. The aim of this study is to confirm the presence of pressure sensitive corpuscles in the nasopharynx. An experimental study was conducted on five fresh and unembalded human cadavers. The pharyngeal ostium of the auditory tube and its periphery was removed in one piece by video-assisted endonasal endoscopy. Samples were fixed in formaldehyde solution, embedded in paraffin, and cut. Slides were analyzed by HES (Hematoxyline Eosine Safran) coloration, by S100 protein and neurofilament protein immunostaining. Encapsulated nerve endings were researched and identified by slides analysis. Eight samples were included in our study. On seven samples, Ruffini corpuscles were identified in the mucosa of the posterior area of the pharyngeal ostium, with a higher concentration in the pharyngeal recess and in the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. Our study identified nasopharyngeal mechanoreceptors that could detect the nasopharyngeal pressure and, by extension, the atmospheric pressure. These findings support the theory of the neuronal reflex arc of isobaric system of the middle ear, based on the existence of a "system" sensitive to a pressure gradient between the middle ear and the ambient environment. Understanding of this system has been helpful in the diagnosis and management of middle ear diseases.

Nasendoscopic evaluation of stress velopharyngeal insufficiency in wind musicians: a pilot study.

To investigate the anatomy and function of the velopharyngeal mechanism in musicians who experience symptoms of stress velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) compared to musicians who do not. The velopharyngeal mechanism of 13 musicians, 8 with reported symptoms of stress VPI and 5 without, were evaluated using video nasendoscopy before and after 30 minutes of playing. All nasendoscopic recordings were rated by an external speech-language pathologist and ear, nose and throat surgeon for maintenance of velopharyngeal closure, type of velopharyngeal closure pattern, and velopharyngeal gap. Six out of 8 cases with stress VPI had nasal air leak during the assessment, 2 of whom had fatigue-related increased symptoms. Three controls had mild nasal air leak without affecting the consistency of soft palate seal nor quality of playing, suggesting that evidence of nasal air leak is not always symptomatic of stress VPI. All cases had unusual anatomical characteristics, such as the soft palate closing against an irregular surface on the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, which may cause insufficient velopharyngeal closure. Typically the soft palate contacted the nasopharyngeal wall higher when playing a wind instrument compared to during speech. Specific anatomical features and factors such as fatigue and stress may affect maintenance of velopharyngeal closure in persons with stress VPI. It is important that musicians with stress VPI are evaluated while playing their instrument. Future studies into stress VPI would benefit by including objective assessment components and some degree of quantifiable measurements.

Nasotracheal intubation with MacGrath videolaryngoscope using Schroeder directional stylet: Case series.

Background and Aims:MacGrath videolaryngoscope is one of the recent videolaryngoscopes, which can be used to facilitate nasotracheal intubations using Scroeder directional stylet.Material and Methods:15 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades I-II, undergoing tonsillectomy, requiring nasotracheal intubation were included. All patients were intubated with MacGrath videolaryngoscope and Schroeder stylet. Primary outcome measures were duration and ease of intubation. Overall success rate, number of attempts, modified Cormack-Lehane (C-L) grading, and complications were also recorded.Results:All 15 intubations were successful during first laryngoscopy attempt. C-L Grade I views were obtained in 14 patients (93%) and Grade II view in one patient (7%). The time required to obtain the best C-L view was 9.4 ± 1.5 s. The time taken to complete tracheal intubation was 34.27 ± 3.38 s. Average numerical rating scale for tracheal intubation was 8.7 ± 0.9. Minor complications occurred in four patients (26.7%).Conclusions:MacGrath videolaryngoscope produces excellent laryngoscopic views in patients with normal airways. Impaction of tracheal tube on posterior nasopharyngeal wall can be overcome by Schroeder stylet.

Effect of carotid artery aberrancy on the distance between the vessel and nasopharyngeal subsites

BackgroundLife-threatening hemorrhaging due to nasopharyngeal internal carotid artery (ICA) aberrancy may occur during routine nasopharyngeal surgery. To understand better the potential adverse effect of nasopharyngeal ICA aberrancy on routine nasopharyngeal surgery, we classified aberrant nasopharyngeal ICAs and analyzed the differences in mean distances from the ICA to nasopharyngeal subsites between aberrant and nonaberrant vessels. MethodsThe courses of nasopharyngeal ICAs were examined and classified for an aberrant pathway. Various distances were measured on magnetic resonance brain scans. The mean values of the measured variables were compared using an unpaired two-sample t test. ResultsThe mean distances to the torus tubarius, the opening of Rosenmuller's fossa, and the posterior nasopharyngeal wall were 19.6 mm, 15.8 mm, and 16.7 mm, respectively, in the aberrant case group, and 23.1 mm (p < 0.001), 19.8 mm (p < 0.001), and 20.7 mm (p < 0.001) in the nonaberrant control group. ConclusionThe mean distances between the ICA and nasopharyngeal subsites were significantly shortened (by 15–21%) in the presence of aberrant nasopharyngeal segments, which may increase the risk of severe complications in common and uncomplicated nasopharyngeal surgery, such as adenoidectomy, eustachian tuboplasty, and nasopharyngeal biopsies. However, the mean distances were not shortened by the severity (kinking and coiling) of the aberrant nasopharyngeal carotid arteries.

Anomalous middle turbinate with choanal obstruction and maxillary sinusitis: a case report

IntroductionAlthough several anatomical anomalies in the middle turbinate have been reported, they usually remain asymptomatic. However, complicated aberrant middle turbinate extending through the choana to the contralateral nasopharynx has not been reported.Case presentationA 23-year-old Korean woman presented with a 6-month history of nasal obstruction and postnasal discharge refractory to medical treatment. An endoscopic examination revealed an abnormal middle turbinate, and a pedunculated nasal mass covered with normal mucosa that originated from the right lateral nasal wall filled most of the right posterior choana and extended to the left nasopharynx across the posterior free edge of the nasal septum. Computed tomography of the paranasal sinus showed abnormal bony trabeculation from the posterior bony attachment of the right middle turbinate to the left posterior nasopharyngeal wall. In addition, right maxillary sinusitis was observed. From these findings, the lesion was suspected to be an abnormal configuration of the right middle turbinate with secondary maxillary sinusitis and was successfully treated by resection of the malformed middle turbinate and middle meatal antrostomy.ConclusionsAlthough this case illustrates a very rare developmental anomaly of the middle turbinate, thorough knowledge of the development of and anatomical anomalies associated with the middle turbinate is of utmost importance to perform proper sinus surgery and avoid complications. Therefore, these findings should be considered by otolaryngologists, and careful examination of the nasal cavity is necessary to determine the existence of this rare anomaly.

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma: a rare nasopharyngeal mass lesion

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is a rare and nonneoplastic lesion of upper respiratory tract characterized by an abnormal mixture of tissues which are peculiar to the involved anatomic region. The most common site reported is nasal cavity and its nasopharyngeal origin is extremely rare. The lesion can be confused with a variety of benign and malignant entities. In this article, we report a 22-year-old female case of REAH of posterior nasopharyngeal wall. The clinical and radiological features of the lesion are discussed in the light of literature data.

Risk factors for internal carotid artery injury in adults during simple nasopharyngeal surgeries

The purpose of this study attempted to analyze the potential risk factors for internal carotid artery injury during simple nasopharyngeal surgeries with or without an endoscopic aid. One hundred and seventy magnetic resonance imaging scans (340 halves) of the brain were retrospectively reviewed and studied. Anatomic variations of carotid arteries were classified, and various distances from the internal carotid arteries to the nasopharyngeal subsites were directly measured on the scans. The mean distances between the internal carotid arteries and nasopharyngeal subsites were significantly shortened in patients with nasopharyngeal internal carotid artery aberrancy, female gender, and lower body weight. The distance to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall was also shortened with age. However, the severity of nasopharyngeal carotid artery variations (kinking and coiling) did not reflect the shortening of mean distances to nasopharyngeal subsites. In conclusion, from multiple linear regression analysis, we found that the risk of an internal carotid artery injury during simple nasopharyngeal surgeries with or without an endoscopic aid is greatest in adult patients with nasopharyngeal carotid artery aberrancy, followed by female gender, lower body weight, and increasing age.

A case-based discussion on a patient with non-otogenic fungal skull base osteomyelitis: pitfalls in diagnosis

To discuss the diagnostic pitfalls and limitations of imaging investigations in non-otogenic skull base osteomyelitis. This paper reports a fatal case of non-otogenic fungal skull base osteomyelitis in an immunosuppressed patient. The patient initially presented with headache and later diplopia during multiple hospital admissions. A retrospective review of the initial imaging studies of his skull base revealed subtle signs of early infection at the inferior portion of the nasopharynx. Biopsies were taken from the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. Fungal cultures isolated Aspergillus fumigatus and mucor species. The insidious onset of the clinical features and the limitations of the currently available investigations make early diagnosis of skull base osteomyelitis difficult. This case highlights that skull base osteomyelitis should be suspected in immunocompromised patients with subtle radiological abnormalities on initial imaging. There is still controversy regarding the

Endoscopic Endonasal Nasopharyngectomy in Selected Cancers

To describe the different surgical techniques for nasopharyngeal endoscopic resection (NER) and to support the efficacy of the endoscopic endonasal approach in the management of selected primary and locally recurrent nasopharyngeal tumors (NPTs). Case series with chart review. Patients affected by NPTs who underwent NER from 1997 to 2011 at two Italian referral centers. NER was tailored to the NPT extension and classified as follows: type 1 NER, resection of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall; type 2 NER, resection superiorly extended to the sphenoid; type 3 NER, trans-pterygoid approach to the postero-lateral nasopharynx with removal of pterygoid plates and Eustachian tube, under control of parapharyngeal-petrous-cavernous segments of the internal carotid artery. Thirty-six consecutive patients with primary (9 cases) or locally recurrent (27 cases) NPTs were enrolled. The lesions were staged as follows: stage I, 16 (44.4%); stage II, 3 (8.4%); stage III, 15 (41.6%); and stage IVA, 2 (5.6%). Type 1 NER was performed in 6 cases, type 2 NER in 12, type 3 NER in 16, and bilateral-extended type 3 NER in 2. No perioperative mortality or major complications were observed. Postoperatively, 11 patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 173 months (mean: 38 months). Five years overall, disease-specific, and disease-free survivals were 75.1% ± 9.13%, 80.9% ± 7.79%, and 58.1% ± 14.8%, respectively. NER is a feasible and minimally invasive surgical approach for the management of selected primary and locally recurrent NPTs. Our preliminary outcomes are promising, with local control rates comparable to those of conventional procedures. Larger case series and longer follow-up are needed to validate the reproducibility and efficacy of the technique.

A Cephalometric Comparison of Pharynx and Soft Palate in Iraqi Adolescents and Adults Population

Aims: This paper aims to estimate and compare the pharynx and soft palatal dimensions of Iraqi ado-lescent and adults with class I normal occlusion at Mosul City and to identify any gender dimorphism within each group. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 160 normal Iraqis what were separated into two groups (80 adolescents and 80 adults). Each group was additionallydi-vided into two subgroups according to gender (40 of each gender). Twelve linear measurements were made in all subjects; gender dimorphism and comparison between two age groups were analysed by students t test.Results:No gender differences in all variables except in retropalatal airway space (U-MPW) in the adolescents group. While, in the adults the only significant gender differences were found in the thickness of posterior nasopharyngeal wall (ad1-Ba)and in the vertical airway space (Pm-Eb).The adults had significantly larger values for superior nasopharyngeal(pm-ad2) and inferior naso-pharyngeal depth (pm-ad1) than adolescents .While ,adolescents had larger value for superior nasopha-ryngeal thickness (ad2-s) and posterior nasopharyngeal thickness(ad1-Ba) than adults in both genders .The adult male had a higher value for (Pm-Eb) than adolescent male .While ,adolescent female had a higher value for soft palate thickness (SPT) than adult female. Conclusions: Data derived from this study should be a useful reference for assessment of sleep apnea and other conditions in the Iraqi popu-lation.Developmental changes were found in all nasopharyngeal parameters except the Pm-ba(sagittal depth of the bony nasopharynx).

Endoscopic Endonasal Nasopharyngectomy in Selected Cancers

Objective: 1) To describe the different surgical techniques for nasopharyngeal endoscopic resection (NER) and 2) to support the efficacy of the endoscopic endonasal approach in the management of selected primary and locally recurrent nasopharyngeal tumors (NPTs). Method: NER was tailored to the NPT extension and classified as follows: type-1-NER, resection of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall; type-2-NER, resection superiorly extended to the sphenoid; type-3-NER, transpterygoid approach to the postero-lateral nasopharyx with removal of pterygoid plates and Eustachian tube, under control of parapharyngeal-petrous-cavernous segments of the internal carotid artery. Results: From 1997 to 2011, 36 consecutive patients with primary (9 cases) or locally recurrent (27 cases) NPTs underwent an NER with curative intent. The lesions were staged (7th edition AJCC staging system) as follows: stage-I, 16 (44.4%); stage-II, 3 (8.3%); stage-III, 13 (36.1%); and stage-IVA, 4 (11.1%). Type-1-NER was performed in 6 cases, type-2-NER in 12, type-3-NER in 16, and bilateral extended type-3-NER in 2. No perioperative mortality or complications were observed. Postoperatively, 11 patients received intensity-modulated radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 173 months (mean, 38 months). Five years overall, disease-specific and disease-free survivals were 75.1 ± 9.13, 80.9 ± 7.79, and 58.1 ± 14.8, respectively. Conclusion: NER is a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive surgical approach to manage selected primary and locally recurrent NPTs. Our preliminary outcomes are promising, with local control rates comparable to those of conventional open procedures. Larger case series and longer follow-up are needed to validate the reproducibility and efficacy of the technique.

Dimensões nasofaringeanas e faciais em diferentes padrões morfológicos

OBJETIVO: o presente estudo propõe-se a comparar as dimensões da nasofaringe e as características esqueléticas avaliadas por exame cefalométrico, em indivíduos com padrões morfológicos distintos. MÉTODOS: foram utilizadas 90 telerradiografias de pacientes de ambos os gêneros, de 12 a 16 anos de idade, as quais foram igualmente divididas em três grupos distintos, referentes aos padrões morfológicos - braquifacial, mesofacial e dolicofacial. Foram realizadas medições específicas da região nasofaringeana (ad1-Ptm, ad2-Ptm, ad1-Ba, ad2-S0, (ad1-ad2-S0-Ba-ad1/Ptm-S 0-Ba-Ptm) X 100, e Ptm-Ba) e relativas ao padrão esquelético da face. RESULTADOS: observou-se que os pacientes dolicofaciais apresentaram menor profundidade sagital óssea (Ptm-Ba) e da via aérea da nasofaringe (ad1-Ptm e ad2-Ptm). Sugere-se que essas diferenças estejam relacionadas a um posicionamento relativamente mais posterior da maxila, comum a esses pacientes. Todavia, não foram detectadas diferenças quanto à espessura de tecido mole na parede posterior nasofaringeana (ad1-Ba e ad2-S0), ou à sua proporção em relação a toda a área delimitada para a nasofaringe [(ad1-ad2-S0-Ba-ad1/Ptm-S 0-Ba-Ptm) X 100]. CONCLUSÃO: sugere-se, portanto, que as características faciais de excesso vertical encontradas em pacientes dolicofaciais podem ocorrer, dentre outros fatores, em virtude da obstrução da via aérea nasofaringeana, uma vez que tais dimensões se apresentaram menores para os dolicofaciais.

Low field MRI on the diagueqs of nasopharynged carcinoma(NPC)

Objective The MRI manifestdtions of NPC were analysed and low-field MRI on the diagnosis of NPC was disscussed.Methods The MRI manifestations cf 83 casea that were confirmed by biopsy were analysed retrospectively. Results The MRI of NPC manifese mainly as follow:The mucosa thickened or solf tissue mass formed on the top of posterior, left and right nasopharyngeal wall,Pharyngeal recess became supperficial and disappearing, And pharyngeal ostium of eustachian tube became dull or bstructive, The pharyngeal space displaced or narrowed and disappeared. unilteral or bilateral otomastoiditis can be seen and can be accompanied by the destruction of skull base, carernous sinus and orbit can be violated, and temporal fossa or pterygopalatine fossa can be involed .The T1WI signal of tumorous tissue was homogeneous or slightly low, the T2WI signal was slightly high or higher on the enhamced scanning, the amount(or ratio) of serer,moderate and mild enhanced cases were respectively 22(31.0%), 41(57.7%), 8( 11.3% ).Conclusions Low-fild MRI can imdicate muticfaceted clearly and accurately the location,size, shape, violating scope of NPC and the extent of involting adjacent tissue and structure, So the low-fild MRI is the best imaging examination on the diagnosis of NPC. Key words: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC); Low-fild MRI; Diagnosis