Perineural tumor spread in malignant head and neck tumors.
Perineural tumor spread (PNS) of head and neck malignancies is a course of disease in which tumor metastasizes along the endoneurium or perineurium. Perineural tumor spread is a potentially devastating complication of head and neck cancer and has a high impact on the therapeutical management and overall prognosis. Imaging plays an important role in the detection of this condition, especially in view of a large number of clinically asymptomatic patients with PNS. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice in the assessment of PNS because of its multiplanar capability and its superior soft-tissue contrast. Knowledge of normal cranial nerve anatomy and the imaging appearance of perineural tumor extension is imperative in the evaluation of PNS which represents a special challenge in head and neck radiology.
Nemec
Stefan Franz
SF
Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. stefan.nemec@meduniwien.ac.at
Herneth
Andreas M
AM
Czerny
Christian
C
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*