RESUMEN
Contrast - enhanced CT scan and MRI were performed for 39 cases with paraphaxyngeal space [PPS] masses, 22 masses were prestyloid in relation to the PPS 17 were retrostyloid. 15 out of the 22 prestyloid masses, were deep -lobed major parotid gland tumors and the other 7 were minor salivary gland tumors. The other 17 PPS masses were neuretrostyloid, 12 were neurogenic [7 schwanuiomas and 5 paragangliomas] 2 lymphomas, 2 were hemangiopericytornas and the last one was meningioma. The contours-outlines and appearances of the tumors on imagings performed. did not reflect if it is benign or malignant, 7 of 11 surgically proved malignant PPS masses appeared well defined, smooth bordered and clearly outlined. The position of the internal carotid artery [ICA], is a helpful differentiating point between the prestyloid and retrostyloid masses. The ICA was central in 7 cases of prestyloid masses, and in 4 retrostyloid masses. The JCA displaced anterior by 11 poststyloid PPS masses and displaced posterior by 15 prestyloid masses. CT does have limitations in soft tissue detail in comparison to MRJ as the soft tissue resolution is better than with CT, also the relationship between the mass and the carotid can be more clearly seen with MRI