[Diagnosis and evaluation of head and neck paragangliomas. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging]

Cross-sectional imaging techniques [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT)] are essential in the presurgical evaluation of paragangliomas. These techniques provide data on tumoral hypervascularity, tumoral margins, invasion of neighboring structures, tumoral multifocality and the presence of metastasis. These imaging techniques are also essential for sequential volume assessment in non-surgical cases, postoperative evaluation and screening of familial forms. MRI is the technique of choice in paraganglioma assessment due to high contrast resolution among tissues, optimizing visualization of tumoral delimitation and the degree of local invasion. In addition, with the new dynamic MR angiography techniques, early contrast uptake can be confirmed, facilitating the diagnostic approach and demonstrating multifocal lesions. CT is required in tympanic paragangliomas and in those involving the skull base due to the efficacy of this technique in the evaluation of middle ear lesions and invasion of the skull base bone structures.