MRI diagnosis of vagal paraganglioma(report of 6 cases and literature review) / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the MR findings of vagal paraganglioma.Methods Six cases of vagal paraganglioma(4 benign and 2 malignant)were retrospectively analyzed with the emphasis on the location,MR signal intensity,dislocation of the carotid vessels,and the metastasis of the tumor.Results The tumors located in the superior(4 cases),middle(1 case)and inferior(1 case)neck,respectively,with right-sided in 4 cases and left-sided in 2 cases.The signal intensities of the six tumors were heterogeneous,combined with 'salt and pepper' appearance in 4 cases in which the 'pepper' appearance was more marked.On MR angiography performed in 4 cases,carotid arteries were found dislocated anteriomedially.Two cases were diagnosed as malignancies by the manifestations of destruction of surrounding bone,metastasis of bilateral lungs and/or the lymph nodes.Conclusion Vagal paragangliomas could be correctly diagnosed before surgery according to their locations and signal intensities.