Title: MRI of nasopharyngeal carcinoma invading the anterior and middle cranial fossae
Abstract: Objective To study MRI characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) with anterior and middle cranial fossa spread. Methods 39 cases of NPC with cranial nerve involvement were selected for this study. Axial and coronal T 1,T 2 weighted, sagittal T 2 weighted, and Gd DTPA enhanced MRI were performed. Results (1) 13 cases had frontal cranial fossa invasion. There were 3 cases with ethmoid sinus involvement.4 cases with orbital apex and postbulbar encroachment,6 patients with combined invasion. (2) 38 cases suffered from middle cranial fossa erosion. There were 32 cases with sphenoid bone destruction, 25 cases with tumor invading sphenoid sinus, 20 cases with foramen lacerum abnormality, 28 cases with foramen ovale abnormality, and 6 cases with sella turcica abnormality. Encroachment on cavernous sinus was found in 35 cases. Conclusions NPC may spread to the anterior and middle cranial fossae by destruction of skull bone, via anatomic bony foramina, or the combination of the two. These patterns could be accurately demonstratd by MRI.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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