title: Peripharyngeal space tumors: Can magnetic resonance and multidetector-row computed tomography help predict location, malignancy and tumor type?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to assess the performances of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in determining tumor location, suggesting the specific diagnosis of tumors involving the peripharyngeal space and identifying findings suggestive for malignancy using histopathological findings as standard of reference.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MDCT and MRI examinations of 99 patients with a total of 102 tumors located in the retropharyngeal, carotid and parapharyngeal spaces were retrospectively reviewed. MDCT and MRI examinations were independently analyzed for tumor location and specific histological type of tumor. Finally, benign or malignant criteria were evaluated. Agreement between imaging features and final histopathological diagnosis that served as the standard of reference was assessed with the Kappa statistic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding tumor location almost perfect agreement was obtained between imaging findings and histopathological findings (kappa=0.86 and 0.92 for MDCT and MRI, respectively). Agreement between the results of imaging and histopathological findings regarding malignancy was substantial for MDCT (Kappa=0.73), MRI (Kappa=0.65). A definite histopathological diagnosis was suggested on the basis of imaging findings for 84 tumors and in agreement with the final histopathological diagnosis in 77/84 tumors (92%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDCT and MRI provide accurate information to localize and characterize peripharyngeal tumors. These two examinations provide complementary data to identify imaging criteria that suggest malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France. Electronic address: elodie.muraz@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muraz
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Delemazure
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mourrain-Langlois
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT and head and neck surgery, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bourget
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT and head and neck surgery, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Malard
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frampas
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MR imaging; Multidetector row computed tomography; Paraganglioma; Parapharyngeal space; Schwannoma