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Imaging for juvenile angiofibroma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Glyn Lloyd
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London, UK.
David Howard
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London, UK.
Valerie Lund
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London, UK.
Lloyd Savy
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London, UK.

Abstract

Juvenile angiofibroma presents characteristic imaging signs, many of which allow diagnosis and accurate estimation of extent without recourse to the dangers of biopsy. The diagnosis by computed tomography (CT) is based upon the site of origin of the lesion in the pterygopalatine fossa. There are two constant features: (1) a mass in the posterior nasal cavity and pterygopalatine fossa; (2) erosion of bone behind the sphenopalatine foramen with extension to the upper medial pterygoid plate. Good bone imaging on CT is essential to show invasion of the cancellous bone of the sphenoid. This is the main predictor of recurrence: the deeper the extension, the larger the potential tumour remnant likely to be left following surgery. The characteristic features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are due to the high vascularity of the tumour causing signal voids and strong post-contrast enhancement. MRI shows the pre-operative soft tissue extent of angiofibroma optimally, but its more important application is to provide post-operative surveillance: to show any residual or recurrent tumour, record tumour growth or natural involution and monitor the effects of radiotherapy.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2000

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