Perineural tumor spread in malignant head and neck tumors

Perineural tumor spread (PNS) of head and neck malignancies is a course of disease in which tumor metastasizes along the endoneurium or perineurium. Perineural tumor spread is a potentially devastating complication of head and neck cancer and has a high impact on the therapeutical management and ove...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Topics in magnetic resonance imaging 2007-12, Vol.18 (6), p.467-471
Main Authors: Nemec, Stefan Franz, Herneth, Andreas M, Czerny, Christian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - secondary
Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
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Summary:Perineural tumor spread (PNS) of head and neck malignancies is a course of disease in which tumor metastasizes along the endoneurium or perineurium. Perineural tumor spread is a potentially devastating complication of head and neck cancer and has a high impact on the therapeutical management and overall prognosis. Imaging plays an important role in the detection of this condition, especially in view of a large number of clinically asymptomatic patients with PNS. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice in the assessment of PNS because of its multiplanar capability and its superior soft-tissue contrast. Knowledge of normal cranial nerve anatomy and the imaging appearance of perineural tumor extension is imperative in the evaluation of PNS which represents a special challenge in head and neck radiology.
ISSN:0899-3459
DOI:10.1097/rmr.0b013e3181645a0d