[Diagnostic approach in diseases of the parapharyngeal space]

Diseases of the parapharyngeal space (p.s.) are quite rare. Nevertheless, the clinical and therapeutic approach to this anatomical site is not easy in many cases. Possibly some of the patients suffering from lesions in the p.s. could be cured, if the disease were detected in an earlier stage. In the present paper the authors introduce the diagnostic evaluation of this region. Clinical and radiological procedures are demonstrated in selected patients with characteristic lesions of the p.s. in order to find out about reasonable and sufficient diagnostic approaches to this hidden area. While the clinical examination is limited mainly to inspection and palpation, diagnostic imaging--and particularly modern techniques like CT, MRI and 3-D-reconstruction--enables us to receive a better approach to the p.s.. Advantages and disadvantages of the different methods are discussed according to their diagnostic value for the various kinds of lesions in the p.s.