Imaging of the parapharyngeal space.
The parapharyngeal space is a deep space of the neck, always well visible on CT and MR imaging of the head and neck; in normal circumstances, this space should look symmetrical. The parapharyngeal space is often subdivided in compartments; such subdivision is helpful when considering the site of origin of a parapharyngeal space mass. Several concepts of compartmentalization of this space exist, sometimes leading to confusion; not the names but the anatomy is important to know. This manuscript reviews shortly the anatomy of the parapharyngeal space, the use of modern cross-sectional imaging methods in the evaluation of this region, and focuses somewhat more on imaging of primary parapharyngeal lesions.
Farina
D
D
Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
Hermans
R
R
Lemmerling
M
M
Op Beeck
K
K
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed