Patterns of perineural tumor spread in head and neck cancer.

Gul Moonis, Mary Beth Cunnane, Kevin Emerick, Hugh Curtin

Department of Radiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, USA. gmoonis@bidmc.harvard.edu

Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America 2012 Aug

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Perineural tumor spread (PNS) is a mode of neoplastic spread whereby tumor cells use neural conduits to escape the borders of a primary tumor. MRI is generally favored over CT for evaluating PNS, and findings include obliteration of fat within skull base foramina, enlargement and enhancement of the involved nerves, and enlargement and destruction of the bony foramina. Careful examination of the entire course of the nerve allows detection of skip lesions. Recognition of the complete extent of PNS is crucial for correct treatment because it facilitates both surgical and radiotherapy targeting of entire extent of disease. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Gul Moonis, Mary Beth Cunnane, Kevin Emerick, Hugh Curtin. Patterns of perineural tumor spread in head and neck cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America. 2012 Aug;20(3):435-46