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Published on: July 5, 2021
Imaging the cranial nerves in cancer
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608, Singapore.
Summary
Head and neck cancers can spread to cranial nerves, causing nerve palsy. This review details imaging for perineural spread, skull base involvement, and radiation complications like optic neuritis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Cranial nerves are frequently affected by head and neck malignancies.
- Perineural spread is a common characteristic of certain cancers.
- Cranial nerve palsy can be an initial indicator of skull base metastatic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the imaging features of perineural infiltration in cranial nerves.
- To highlight skull base neural foramen involvement by malignancies.
- To discuss metastatic disease within cranial nerves and radiation therapy complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging findings related to cranial nerve involvement in head and neck cancers.
- Focus on perineural spread, neural foramen invasion, and metastatic disease.
- Examination of radiation-induced complications, including optic neuritis.
Main Results:
- Malignancies can infiltrate cranial nerves, spread perineurally, and metastasize to them.
- Skull base neural foramen involvement is a key imaging finding.
- Radiation therapy can cause cranial nerve injury, notably optic neuritis.
Conclusions:
- Imaging is crucial for detecting perineural spread and metastatic disease involving cranial nerves.
- Understanding these patterns aids in diagnosis and management of head and neck cancers.
- Awareness of radiation-induced complications is essential for patient care.
