Edema in the retropharyngeal space associated with head and neck tumors: CT imaging characteristics.
To determine computed tomographic (CT) imaging characteristics of retropharygeal edema, we reviewed CT images in 18 patients with head and neck tumors. Retropharyngeal edema spread craniocaudally between soft palate and upper half of thyroid cartilage in all patients. No edema fluid extended above soft palate and below thyroid cartilage. Horizontally, it spread symmetrically in ten and asymmetrically in eight patients. Predominance in asymmetrical retropharyngeal edema was found on the same side as that of unilateral predominance both in lymph nodes enlargement and jugular vein stenosis/occlusion. All patients had edema also in other cervical spaces. Edema of retropharyngeal and other spaces fluctuated synchronously. In 14 patients, as primary lesion and/or cervical lymph nodes regressed, retropharyngeal edema disappeared or decreased. Retropharyngeal edema had some imaging characteristics. With knowledge of that, we could avoid diagnostic confusion when evaluating head and neck CT images.
Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Miyagi, 983-8520, Japan. n-kuri@u01.gate01.com
Noriko
N
Kurihara
Shoki
S
Takahashi
Shuichi
S
Higano
Mamoru
M
Nakamura
Masashi
M
Tsuda
Haruo
H
Saito
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed