副咽頭腔腫瘍のCT診断

CT Evaluation of Tumors of the Parapharyngeal Space

I．緒言

　副咽頭腔は解剖学的に複雑で重要な血管，神経を含んでいる。また疾患の発生頻度が低くその多くが良性腫瘍であり^1〜3），自覚症状に乏しいことなどから耳鼻咽喉科医にとってあまり注目を集めない領域の一つである^4）。

　しかし近年Computed Tomography（以下CTと略す）の発達により比較的簡単かつ明瞭にその全貌が明らかにできるようになり，この部位の腫瘍が容易に診断可能となってきた。

　Three cases of benign parapharyngeal space tumors were reported and CT findings of them were evaluated.

　The size, extent, original site and histopathology of the tumors in the parapharyngeal space could be evaluated by the combined CT-sialogram. A deep lobe parotid tumor was differentiated from a tumor originating in the parapharyngeal space. It was important to evaluate the relationship between the tumor and the carotid sheath. The enhancement pattern of the parapharyngeal space tumor was also noted.

　These informations are important for determining the surgical approach via cervical, oral or combined route.