[Imaging and assessment of glomus jugulare in MRI and CT techniques]

Paragangliomas are rare group of tumors originating from paraganglionic tissue. The most common site of occurrence of the head and neck paragangliomas are: carotid body, jugular foramen (glomus jugulare) and tympanic cavity (glomus tympanicum). Magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT) and angiography are the modalities of choice in detecting and characterizing paragangliomas.

The aim of this study was to compare different imaging techniques of CT and MR in visualization, detecting and characterizing paragangliomas of the jugular foramen. METHODY: Usefulness of CT and MR techniques was analyzed on the basis of CT and MR examinations performed in the group of three patients with different clinical history.

Multidetector CT scanning is especially useful to show subtle destruction of the temporal bone on early stage of disease. MR is the modality of choice in assessing middle ear, scull base or posterior fossa involvement and monitoring growth of paraganglioma. MR and CT angiography are both useful methods to identify arterial feeders of the paragangliomas, and in some cases due to better availability in clinical practice can be alternative to angiography. Angiography in combination with embolization will mainly be used prior to surgical resection.