MRI of facial skeleton and parapharyngeal space

The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging is examined in relation to computed tomography on the basis of 66 patients, who had pathological processes in the midfacial and nasopharyngeal space. The high power of contrast resolution in imaging soft tissue masses and the direct multiplanar capability of magnetic resonance offer advantages over computed tomography in respect of space occupying lesions in the median and lower parts of the craniofacial skull. Lymph nodes of more than 1 cm. in diameter were detected by both modalities. A disadvantage is the poorer detectability of tumour conditioned bone destruction at the base of the skull. In such cases, computed tomography remains the method of choice.