[X-ray computed tomographic aspects of neoplastic pathology of the parapharyngeal space]

The parapharyngeal space is a fat-filled region situated deep in the head between the basicranium and the oral floor. It can be divided in two parts: the prestyloid and the poststyloid space. The mandibular nerve is contained in the prestyloid space, while the carotid artery, jugular vein, IX, X, XI, XII cranial nerves, cervical sympathetic chain and junctional lymph nodes are situated in the poststyloid compartment. The normal CT anatomy and CT findings in 22 patients with proven lesions of the parapharyngeal space are described. Three different groups of neoplastic processes can be distinguished: primary tumours, secondary tumours and enlarged lymph nodes. The nature of the lesions developing in the parapharyngeal space can be diagnosed by CT in many cases.