[Para-pharyngeal tumors, contribution of imaging]

Para-pharyngeal tumors are located deeply. Imaging is mandatory for their management. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the contribution of imaging for their diagnosis and treatment.

Imaging was performed for 20 cases of primary para-pharyngeal tumors between 1986 and 2008. We compared the imaging to the anatomic and histological features of these tumors.

Computed tomography and MRI confirmed the para-pharyngeal location of tumors. Tumors were located in the prestyloid compartment in eight cases, in the retrostyloid compartment in five cases, and in the retropharyngeal compartment in one case. Six tumors had filled all the para-pharyngeal space. Salivary gland tumors had filled the prestyloid space in two cases, and in two other malignant cases all para-pharyngeal space were invaded. MRI failed to differentiate the nature of tumor and its malignancy except when there was obvious bone erosion. The treatment was mainly surgical. The mean follow-up was 5 years 6 months.

Imaging contributes to the etiological diagnosis and assesses tumor extension, thus helping to choose the surgical approach. MRI is the most contributive examination; its resolution is more adapted to the diagnosis of deep tumors. CT scan is contributive when studying the bone structure.