title: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to analyze the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) of the head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with pPNET of the head and neck confirmed by histopathological examination were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average patient age was 8 years. The tumor location in the 8 patients was as follows: maxillofacial region (right, 2; left, 1), left maxillary sinus (1), right masticator space (1), left carotid space (1), right infratemporal fossa (1), and left parotid gland (1). All 5 patients who underwent CT demonstrated ill-defined soft masses and no calcification. Three patients with tumors in the maxillofacial region showed homogeneous small masses and a mild enhancement. The patient with left maxillary sinus tumor showed a heterogeneous mass with patchy, necrotic foci and mild heterogeneous enhancement. The patient with right masticator space tumor showed a heterogeneous mass, and marked heterogeneous enhancement. The T1-weighted images of the patients with right infratemporal fossa, left carotid space, and left parotid gland tumors were isointense. The T2-weighted images were heterogeneous and mildly hyperintense in 2 patients and hyperintense in 1 patient. Heterogeneous intermediate enhancement was demonstrated in 2 patients and mild ring enhancement in 1 patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The imaging features of pPNET of the head and neck are non-specific. An ill-defined, aggressive mass and variable enhancement on CT and MR images may suggest the diagnosis of pPNET. Peripheral PNET should be included in the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents' regional tumors.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Radiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei-dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan-feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chuan-xing
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-bin
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Fu-jun
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018241:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA