55 Neoplasia II A wide variety of other neoplasias may affect the head and neck. In the parapharyngeal space, these include neural tumors (see Chapter 39), salivary tumors, and paragangliomas. Glomus jugulare (Fig. 55.1) and carotid body (glomus) paragangliomas are distinguished by their location, the former arising from the jugular fossa and the latter at the carotid bifurcation. Glomus vagale tumors also occur. All tend to demonstrate a characteristic salt and pepper pattern on MRI, attributable to several factors. In the precontrast GRE T1WI of Fig. 55.1A, the fibrotic, hypointense tumor (“pepper”) arising from the jugular bulb is contrasted against the hyperintense regional vascular structures (“salt”). Alternatively, tumor hyperintensity may represent hemorrhagic foci with interspersed hypointensity from vascular flow voids on FSE T2WI. This highly vascular tumor also demonstrates intense enhancement on (Fig. 55.1B, black arrow
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
