Imaging of pharyngeal pathology

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Anatomy
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• The pharynx is crucial for swallowing and speech, possessing complex anatomy and motility.
• Pharyngeal symptoms like sore throat and dysphagia often necessitate imaging.
• Radiological evaluation of the pharynx can be challenging due to its complexity and diverse pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of cross-sectional pharyngeal anatomy.
• To present the radiological features of benign and malignant pharyngeal pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Review of cross-sectional pharyngeal anatomy.
• Presentation of radiological findings for various pharyngeal pathologies.
• Discussion of imaging modalities including MRI, CT, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and radionuclide imaging.

Main Results:

• Detailed anatomical description of the pharynx.
• Illustrative radiological examples of diverse pharyngeal pathologies.
• Emphasis on the utility of different imaging techniques in specific clinical contexts.

Conclusions:

• Accurate radiological assessment of the pharynx requires understanding its complex anatomy.
• Various imaging modalities are essential for diagnosing a wide spectrum of pharyngeal diseases.
• This pictorial review aids in identifying and characterizing pharyngeal pathologies on cross-sectional imaging.